Dzeko Adds to Roma Woes ahead of Sassuolo Trip

Misfiring Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko has added to Roma's injury crisis after being ruled out of the matchday squad for their league trip to Sassuolo on Tuesday.

Roma claimed their first win in five league games with a 3-1 defeat of Frosinone on Saturday, their first under new coach Luciano Spalletti.

But Spalletti, in his second spell at Roma following the recent sacking of Rudi Garcia, faces a forwards crisis with club captain Francesco Totti ruled as doubtful after suffering a muscle problem on his comeback from a lengthy injury lay-off.

"Dzeko won't be traveling because he received a knock on Saturday and it quickly flared up. To play him would be too risky," said Spalletti on Monday.

Totti came off the bench to replace Dzeko 14 minutes into the second half at the weekend but has "a problem with his gluteus", according to Spalletti.

"We're monitoring his condition, but we'll let the doctors decide if he can play," he said.

It could force Spalletti into some last-minute tinkering, with on-loan AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy and Iago Falque his only available strikers.

Although Nigerian starlet Umar Sadiq scored twice during a handful of appearances under Garcia, Spalletti played down his possible inclusion.

"We only have Sadiq left to us as a lone striker. He doesn't have great technique, but he knows how to get in behind the opposition defense," said Spalletti.

El Shaarawy hit his maiden Roma goal on Saturday with a deft flick that he said was inspired by Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Italy international is likely to be kept on a tight rein on Tuesday night.

Sassuolo are enjoying a great season so far and sit in seventh place, 17 points behind leaders Napoli but only a handful of points adrift of the European places.

Part of that success is down to their formidable form at home, where they suffered their first defeat of the season to Bologna eight days ago.

At their Mapei Stadium, Sassuolo have so far beaten Napoli, Lazio and Juventus and drawn with Fiorentina, and on their travels have beaten Inter Milan and held Roma to a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Spalletti said Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco deserved praise for helping raise the game's standard in Italy.

"He is one of the coaches who has helped improve our level of football," added Spalletti.

"Sassuolo, Fiorentina, Empoli and Napoli all have coaches who have made significant contributions to our game.

"Sassuolo is a really organized club and everyone knows it. They've beaten a lot of big teams and so they deserve to be complimented."