Rafael Leao will be available for AC Milan's trip to Cagliari on Friday, head coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.
The Portuguese winger, who has endured several fitness problems this season, rejoined full training earlier this week, and could return to action for his 11th league appearance of the campaign.
However, an ankle problem has ruled out Christopher Nkunku, who scored his first Serie A goals for the club during their 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona last time out, while Christian Pulisic's fitness is uncertain.
"Nkunku won't be there due to a problem with his left ankle," Allegri told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
"Leao is back, but hasn't played for a month, so we'll need to see how many minutes he has in his legs tomorrow. Pulisic trained with the team this morning. His condition will also be evaluated tomorrow.
"In the past few days, [Strahinja] Pavlovic has had a fever. He'll come to Cagliari, and he'll play if he is well. [Matteo] Gabbia has recovered and will be on the bench. The important thing is to get everyone back."
Allegri will be back on familiar turf at Unipol Domus, where he spent three years as a player and two as a coach between 2008 and 2010.
"Even though many years have passed, I always remember Cagliari with great affection," he added.
"I spent five years there, three as a player and two as a coach, so it's stayed in my heart, also because it was my first experience in Serie A as a coach."
On his former club, who are 14th in the table after a 2-1 victory over Torino last time out, he continued: "Tomorrow's match will be a difficult one, because it’s the first of the year and because the standings are starting to take shape.
"They play good football and did very well against Torino, breaking quickly and showing quality in the box. We'll need to stay focused for all 90 minutes, plus stoppage time. We have to keep our feet on the ground and our objective must be clear."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cagliari – Semih Kilicsoy
At the age of 20 years and 134 days, Kilicsoy is the youngest player to have scored a goal both home and away in the 2025/26 Serie A season.
Additionally, the Turk is Cagliari's youngest player to have scored in two consecutive Serie A matches in the three-points-for-a-win era (20 years and 134 days on the last matchday).
AC Milan – Christian Pulisic
Pulisic was directly involved in the most Serie A goals in 2025 with 21 (14 goals, seven assists).
Since his debut in Serie A (2023-24), the American international is one of only two players to have been directly involved in at least 50 goals in the top flight (31 goals, 19 assists), along with Lautaro Martinez (53).