UPBEAT ZAC SUFFERS KEEPER BLOW

LAZIO'S dreadful start to the season has suffered a further blow after goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi was ruled out for six weeks with strained thigh; the fifth such injury to affect the club's players in the past seven days.

Peruzzi picked up the injury during a training session and coach Alberto Zaccheroni will call upon the experienced Luca Marchegiani to make his first appearance of the season in Sunday's visit of Parma.

There was better news for the beleaguered Zaccheroni from Dino Baggio and Guiseppe Favalli. The pair limped out of last week's defeat at Milan, also with muscular problems, but are reportedly close to a return to health and could feature in the Parma match.

That still leaves Zaccheroni with seven first team regulars on the treatment table, including former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, club captain Alessandro Nesta and star striker Hernan Crespo.

Simone Inzaghi, who made a rare appearance in the midweek Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven, is also struggling after reporting to the club medics with a fever.

Despite the problems, Zaccheroni insists his spirits remain positive and, in his typical style, refused to hide behind the injuries as an excuse for failure and rubbished speculation he was suffering from depression..

"It is not true that I am depressed," said Zaccheroni. "I have seen positive signals and I am optimistic for Lazio's future."

"Of course the injuries slow our progress but I do not want them to become alibis."