Inter sitting comfortably at the top as Serie A resumes

 All three sides play away games, with the Milanese title holders, on 43 points from 17 games, facing a seemingly easy affair Sunday against Tuscany minnows Siena.

 Things are tougher for Roma, who are seven points behind Inter, against mid-table Bergamo side Atalanta and for Juve, trailing by a further point, as they visit Catania in Sicily Saturday evening.

 Juve are still without international forward Mauro Camoranesi, who said he expects full recovery from a muscular injury by mid-February.

 "Even though Inter have an eight-point lead, which is not small, the league is not over, because it is still long," Camoranesi said.

 "We have to wait until February or March, after the resumption of the Champions League (which Juve don't play), to have a clearer picture. At that point we'll have a chance to gain some points."

   Mild optimism came also from Roma's French defender Philippe Mexes, who conceded that "Inter are advantaged, but there are still many games left (21).

 "We cannot make schedules, but if we stop losing points here and there, the matter is not settled. We have to proceed step by step. Now let's think about Atalanta."

   At unbeaten Inter, meanwhile, there are good news from the infirmary, with key midfielders Patrick Vieira, Dejan Stankovic and Luis Figo nearing full recovery after long injury lay-offs.

 Virtually cut off from the race for the title are Udinese, lying fourth on 29 points when they visit bottom side Cagliari.

 The side from Sardinia appear to be doomed for relegation with their 10 points, but hope for a miracle from the arrival of new coach Davide Ballardini.

 The 44-year-old coach replaced veteran Nedo Sonetti during the winter break, becoming Cagliari's third coach since the start of the season - and the 28th in the 16-year tenure of president Massimo Cellino.

 Fifth-place Fiorentina visit Parma, who like Lazio and AC Milan are on 18 points, but AC still have three games in hand.

 The Devils won the Club World Cup in December and will display it at the Giuseppe Meazza late Sunday along with the other 17 international trophies that make them the world's most successful club.

 Their home game with promoted Napoli, lying seventh on 23 points, should see the debut of young Brazilian star Pato and possibly the return from a long absence of veteran Ronaldo.

 In earlier Sunday action, Sampdoria welcome Palermo, Lazio host Genoa, Torino and Livorno face off on the verge of the danger zone, while struggling Empoli and Reggina open the weekend Saturday.

DPA