Juventus medical staff are working to clear midfielder Manuel Locatelli to start in Sunday’s Serie A match against Inter Milan.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

Locatelli remains a doubt for Juventus ahead of the Derby d’Italia this weekend.

The 25-year-old is still suffering pain from a fractured rib.

This injury was enough to rule him out of international duty over the break. Locatelli was not part of the Italy squad that scraped qualification for the Euros against North Macedonia and Italy.

The Azzurri managed to cope without Locatelli.

But for Juventus, it would be if anything even more difficult.

Locatelli has been an absolutely crucial player for the Bianconeri this season.

Juventus coach Max Allegri has deployed the former AC Milan and Sassuolo player as the regista at the base of the midfield trio.

Locatelli has been an important presence both in and out of possession.

Defensively, the 25-year-old’s physicality, height, and defensive instincts have provided an important screen in front of the back three. Locatelli has more than played his part in the Bianconeri’s recent run of clean sheets.

And in possession, Locatelli’s range of passing has been Juventus’s creative heartbeat.

Juventus Medical Staff Working To Clear Manuel Locatelli To Start Vs Inter

Given Locatelli’s vital role in the Juventus engine room, the club’s medical staff are doing everything they can to clear him for Sunday’s match.

The first Derby d’Italia of the season pits first against second in the Serie A table.

Given that just two points separate the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri, there is the air of a potential title-decider.

Ultimately, Locatelli will not play if he is unfit to.

And given that the Italian international continues to experience pain with the match just a few days away, the clock is certainly ticking.

But according to Tuttosport, the Bianconeri medical staff are aiming to fit Locatelli with a device on his torso that would make him more comfortable despite his rib fracture.

If Locatelli is unable to start against Inter, Tuttosport report, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia will do so.