ITALY hotshot Christian Vieri is facing a race against time to be fit for the Azzurri's Milan meeting with Wales in the Euro 2004 qualifier on Saturday.

The Inter Milan striker picked up a thigh strain after scoring in his side's home win against Modena on Saturday.

Italy boss Giovanni Trapattoni hopes his prolific marksman reports for duty after playmaker Francesco Totti's omission from the squad.

Totti injured his back during Roma's pre-season friendly game against Real Betis last week while Juventus' attacking midfielder Fabrizio Miccoli has suspected appendicitis and is also missing.

Meanwhile, AC Milan duo Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi have been recalled to the Italy squad.

Italy trail leaders Group Nine Wales by two points and their clash in Milan is crucial in determining which nation secures an automatic spot for the finals in Portugal next summer.

In order to achieve maximum points, the veteran coach has turned to experience. Gattuso's battling qualities in midfield could prove invaluable.

Inzaghi, whose goals fired Milan to last season's Champions League title is the ace goalpoacher and Trapattoni may well decide to pair him with Vieri if he shrugs off his knock..

Italy squad: C Abbiati (AC Milan), G Buffon (Juventus), F Toldo (Inter Milan); A Birindelli (Juventus), F Cannavaro (Inter Milan), M Ferrari (Parma), N Legrottaglie (Juventus), A Nesta (AC Milan), M Oddo (Lazio), C Panucci (Roma), G Zambrotta (Juventus); M Ambrosini (AC Milan), M Camoranesi (Juventus), S Fiore (Lazio), G Gattuso (AC Milan), S Perrotta (Chievo), A Tacchinardi (Juventus), C Zanetti (Inter Milan); B Corradi (Lazio), A Del Piero (Juventus), M Delvecchio (Roma), F Inzaghi (AC Milan), C Vieri (Inter Milan).