Di Francesco considers Cengiz for start after recent progress

Cengiz has enjoyed a run of games in recent weeks, and has impressed Di Francesco with the application and energy he has shown.

“Cengiz has come on in leaps and bounds recently, but his development isn’t done yet,” Di Francesco said. “He needs stability, he needs to play with continuity but that isn’t easy – he understands Italian but he still does not speak the language well.

“I must say that against Sampdoria he was unlucky, at times luck can change a player’s path. Before I saw him as a player better suited to coming on and trying to change a game, but now I feel comfortable using him from the first minute. Tomorrow he could start the game.”

Di Francesco added: “Against Verona one of Stephan El Shaarawy and Diego Perotti will also start. Unfortunately Daniele De Rossi will not be in the squad: we have decided to give him a few extra days of training to be ready for the game against Benevento.”

With De Rossi still out, Di Francesco acknowledged that there is the possibility he will change system slightly to deal with the absence.

“Everything is an option, even a 5-3-2,” he said. “I have tried a few different setups. I am not in the habit of putting out a side that does not know what it is supposed to be doing. It’s clear I do not have a lot of options in the middle of the pitch, with De Rossi and [Maxime] Gonalons out. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still opt for a 4-3-3.”

He added: “Verona are a side that have changed a lot in January, in both attack and defence. I believe they are a side that have got better, and will be back to their former levels. It will be a different game compared to the first meeting.”