Roma firm on Cassano

Roma will take a hard line with contract rebel Antonio Cassano.

Roma are ready to adopt a no-nonsense approach to Antonio Cassano's continued refusal to sign a new contract with the Serie A club considering selling the Italian international.

Cassano will be out of contract next summer and despite several offers from Roma of a contract extension the 23-year-old has failed to commit his future to the Giallorossi.

"The club's position hasn't changed," Roma's chief officer Rossella Sensi told Corriere dello Sport.

"We leave the decision to select Cassano up to the coach Luciano Spalletti but all Roma players must show respect to the club jersey.

"After August 31 if there is no sign of a contract being signed we will reaffirm our hard line with Cassano."

Sensi's claim that Spalletti is still free to pick the player, despite the contract wrangling, has been confirmed by the Roma coach.

"Cassano is a Roma player and my aim is to take advantage of him as a player and in the context of a football match.

"However his position must be cleared and some important choices will have to be made soon," added Spalletti.

Cassano was an unused substitute in Roma's 3-0 win at Reggina on the opening day of the Serie A season on Sunday.