Team News: Mario Balotelli on bench for AC Milan

Mario Balotelli has been named on the bench for AC Milan's Serie A match against Empoli.

The striker returned to his former club on loan from Liverpool earlier this week, and could play a part in the match.

Former Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone leads the line for Empoli.

Ricardo Saponara will play against his former club for the first time, after moving to Empoli in the summer.

AC Milan: Diego Lopez; De Sciglio, Zapata, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Bertolacci, De Jong, Nocerino; Suso; Bacca, Luiz Adriano Subs: Abbiati, Donnarumma, Abate, Alex, Zaccardo, Montolivo, Poli, Bonaventura, Kucka, Honda, Balotelli, Cerci

Empoli: Skorupski; Zambelli, Tonelli, Barba, Mario Rui; Zielinski, Diousse, Croce; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone Subs: Pugliesi, Pelagotti; Bittante, Signorelli, Mchedlidze, Ronaldo, Maiello, Costa, Zielinski, Piu, Camporese, Krunic