Totti misses Sampdoria clash

Francesco Totti is out of Roma’s Serie A clash with Sampdoria on Sunday after suffering a recurrence of a buttock injury.

The club captain sustained the knock to his left gluteal region in last Sunday’s 0-0 draw with rivals Lazio and underwent medical tests on Friday.

The 37-year-old came off the bench in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final second-leg tie against Napoli, but was unable to inspire his side to the final as Roma lost 3-0, surrendering their first-leg advantage.

Roma have confirmed that the forward will take two days’ rest and then undergo further tests before starting his rehabilitation.

“This morning (Friday) Francesco Totti underwent medical tests that revealed the recurrence of pain in the left gluteal region due to a knock he picked up in the last Serie A match,” an official club statement said.

“The captain will rest for 48 hours before starting the rehabilitation process.

“Further tests are scheduled for the next few days.”

Roma sit second in Serie A, nine points behind Juventus but four ahead of Napoli, having played one game fewer than both sides.

Totti, who has five goals in 16 league appearances this season, is also a doubt for the trip to Bologna on February 22.