Rome - Roma defender Marco Cassetti will be sidelined for two months due to a torn muscle in his right leg, the Serie A side's web site reported Thursday. Cassetti, 31, sustained the injury late in the Roma's 2-1 victory over guests Palermo Wednesday night.

His long layoff reopens the door for Christian Panucci, 35, who appeared set on leaving Roma after a row over his refusal to sit on the bench for last weekend's game at Napoli.

"I think that in the face of this emergency, if Roma don't find a replacement, they won't let him leave," the player's agent Oscar Damiani said. "They'll keep him until June. The player's attitude remains the same, though." (dpa)