Mutu returns for Viola

(GSM) – Fiorentina welcome back striker Adrian Mutu ahead of Sunday’s Serie A match at Catania following a prolonged absence from the game.

The Romanian striker is available again after serving a nine-month doping ban and has already made a good impression in training.

However, it seems the game in Sicily may have come a little too soon for the 31-year-old.

But Mutu’s return will give coach Sinisa Mihajlovic a much-needed alternative in attack.

“He looks calm and well,” Mihajlovic said. “He is training and focused”

There were concerns that Mutu could be be punished by the club after being involved in a fight in Florence.

Mutu was accused of leaving a waiter with a broken nose in the incident and has since issued an apology.

But the Viola have, publicly at least, not taken action against him.

“Mutu will come with us to Catania,” Mihajlovic, who coached Catania before joining Fiorentina this summer, said.

“We will see if he will play from the start or comes off the bench.

“He hasn’t played for 10 months and he lacks game rhythm.

“But he is a great player and we are happy to have him with us.

“Now we hope he will give us a helping hand.”