Roma hit by absences for Kiev trip

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti is injured during their Champions League Group F football match against Sporting Lisbon in Olimpic Stadium, 23 October 2007 in Rome. Roma´s hopes of securing qualification to the Champions League knock-out stages have been hit by a triple injury blow.

      ROME (AFP) - Roma's hopes of securing qualification to the Champions League knock-out stages have been hit by a triple injury blow.

      The Italians travel to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday knowing that a victory would secure their passage to the second round.

      But they will have to do without captain Francesco Totti, midfielder Simone Perrotta and French centre-back Philippe Mexes for the group F clash.

      Totti has been closing in on a return to competitive action but has not played since October 23 due to a foot problem and has not been included in the squad travelling to Ukraine.

      Perrotta injured his groin last Wednesday playing for Italy against the Faroe Islands while Mexes is still recovering from a knock to his head in a collision with his own goalkeeper Doni on November 7.

      The one bright spot for Luciano Spalletti's team is the return of Brazilian attacking midfielder Rodrigo Taddei, who has been out for several weeks.