Italy striker Totti to start against Switzerland

ROME, May 30: Italy coach Marcello Lippi will give Francesco Totti his first start in more than three months against Switzerland in a pre-World Cup friendly.

The Roma striker has played once - a brief appearance in the second leg of the Italian Cup final - since fracturing a bone in his ankle on February 19.

Following surgery and intensive rehabilitation work he is ready to form part of a three-man attack with Alessandro Del Piero and either Alberto Gilardino or Luca Toni in tomorrow's friendly in Geneva.

''You will see an unusual three-man attack: a lead striker, Del Piero moved out to the left and Totti in the middle,'' Lippi was quoted as saying on Gazzetta dello Sport's website today.

''He will play the whole of the first of the two friendlies this week (against Switzerland), and part of the match against Ukraine (in Lausanne on Friday).

''The important thing is that he comes through it well, even if there will be a bit of tiredness after a week of intense work. At least with a three-man attack, he'll be a little less busy.'' The Azzurri, who are in Group E with the US, Ghana and Czech Republic, were among the pre-tournament favourites before a match-fixing scandal involving a number of top Serie A clubs, including Juventus, has overshadowed their preparations.

Lippi insisted that they would not use the scandal at home as an excuse if they lost to Switzerland.

''The team won't be influenced by anything. If we don't do well, we certainly won't say it was because of what is happening around us.''

REUTERS