Further trouble for struggling Roma as Taddei ruled out until next year

Rodrigo Taddei’s absence from the Roma first team for much of the season may be a key reason for their early struggles and another setback now seems to have ruled the influential midfielder out until next year.

Taddei has managed just two Serie A appearances for Claudio Ranieri’s team this season because of a calf injury and a recurrence of the problem meant that he had to be withdrawn from the recent goalless draw with Parma during the warm up.

The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but even with immediate treatment it has been predicted that he is unlikely to feature again for Roma in 2010.

Taddei has been a regular in the Roma first team since arriving on a free transfer from Siena in 2005, with his versatility and ability to dribble at speed making him one of the club’s most potent weapons.

It is no surprise that Roma’s bad start has coincided with his absence, with the club sitting just two points off the foot of the Serie A table after eight games.

Roma were one of the favourites to challenge Inter for the title before the start of the campaign, but their price has now substantially drifted out to 14/1 to win Serie A.

Taddei’s injury is likely to put even greater pressure on the aging legs of both Francesco Totti and Matteo Brighi to provide the creative spark at Roma and help them improve on their troubled start.

Roma are only ten points behind leaders Lazio and a run of victories would result in them remaining in contention.

They have a more than winnable home game with Lecce next before embarking on the short trip to play Lazio.

Lazio are 28/1 to win Serie A, with third-placed Inter the present favourites at a price of 6/5. See thewhole Serie A winners betting odds market.