Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi facing spell on sidelines with thigh strain

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi could be facing a spell out through injury after suffering a thigh strain during Italy's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

De Rossi limped off after 75 minutes during Friday night's 2-2 draw and will definitely miss the Azzurri's game with Malta on Tuesday.

Roma's medical specialist Michele Gemignani told the club's official website: "We are a little worried about De Rossi.

"A clearer evaluation will be made tomorrow, at the moment this is the injury that concerns us the most."

The 29-year-old is the latest Roma player to pick up a knock, after Dodo and Federico Balzaretti also picked up injury problems.