Romelu Lukaku went in for an extra training session on his day off, hoping to be fit enough to start for Roma against Bayer Leverkusen.
The first leg of the Europa League semi-final is at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Thursday, with the decider next week in Germany.
Lukaku picked up a right thigh injury during the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Milan and has not played since then.
Lukaku working overtime
Coach Daniele De Rossi said he is optimistic that Lukaku can be fit enough to return this week and the Belgian is doing everything possible to ensure he can recover quickly.
That even means coming in to the Trigoria training ground today, when the squad had been given a day off, so he could do specialist sessions to stress test the flexor in his right thigh.
According to Sky Sport Italia, the response was positive and Lukaku is expecting to start against Bayer Leverkusen.
Chris Smalling is also struggling to get back in shape after a muscular problem.
Options are limited in defence for De Rossi, because Zeki Celik is suspended following a red card with Milan, while Dean Huijsen and Rasmus Kristensen are not in the UEFA squad list due to Financial Fair Play restrictions.
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