Chivu blasts rumours

Roma defender Cristian Chivu has blasted talk that his absence from action is not down to fitness problems.

Chivu has hardly featured for the Giallorossi this term due to a series of problems including having surgery twice on a broken foot.

Reports in Romania have claimed that Chivu is not actually injured, but the player has rubbished the rumours.

"Now I feel better, I'm following doctor's orders and things are improving," Chivu told Radio Sport. "Rumours circulated in Romania have made me disappointed. I have the sensation to be more loved in a country that it isn't mine, than in my own one.

"I've explained that I got an injury this summer playing a tennis-football match with my friends and my agent.

"But probably Romanian papers, due to the fact I refuse to talk with them, didn't believe in it and probably they wanted to gain revenge for themselves."

The former Ajax ace is not sure when he will be fit to return to action.

"We tried to quicken the recovery and things went in a different way than expected," added Chivu.

"I can only say that when I'll be ready, I'll be back and I hope it will be soon.

"At this moment I have a big will to play, that I could play also as keeper, if necessary. For me the most important thing is coming back to the pitch."

Chivu also thanked Roma president Franco Sensi for keeping faith in him through all his injury problems.

"I must thank the president for the faith he still has towards me. He still made a lot for this team and I wish him good things," concluded Chivu.