Italy are holding out hope that hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini can beat his shoulder problem in time to face Ireland in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash in Dublin.
Leicester Tigers hooker Ghiraldini suffered damage to his right shoulder in Italy's 36-20 defeat to Scotland on Saturday 27 February.
The 31-year-old, who had only recovered from a hamstring problem he suffered in the World Cup, suffered the injury blow as Italy slipped to defeat in Rome.
Now the Azzurri will give the 81-cap front-rower every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the encounter at the Aviva Stadium, while scrum-half Edoardo Gori is another doubt.
"We are waiting to evaluate Edoardo Gori and Leonardo Ghiraldini," team manager Luigi Troiani said.
"Gori showed a small rib fracture against Scotland, while with Ghiraldini we are monitoring the progress on an injury to his right shoulder, the trapezius muscle.
"We will wait to assess both players."
Ghiraldini missed Leicester's 31-27 Premiership victory over Exeter Chiefs yesterday, with rugby director Richard Cockerill admitting in advance he did not know how long the abrasive front-rower's latest injury would keep him sidelined.
Italy have added uncapped Zebre hooker Oliviero Fabiani and rookie Treviso scrum-half Alberto Lucchese to their squad as cover.
Fabiani would most likely cover hooker from the bench with Treviso's Davide Giazzon promoted to start should Ghiraldini fail in his fitness quest.
Zebre's Guglielmo Palazzani will be waiting in the wings to start at nine if Gori is unable to win his 51st cap in Dublin.
Like Ireland, Italy will be chasing their first win of the tournament at the fourth time of asking on Saturday.
