The ex-Liverpool defender will face a long time on the sidelines, after picking up an injury in the game against Palermo.

Roma only managed to draw 2-2 in the weekend game against Reggina, which many felt was because of the club's long-term casualty list.

John Arne Riise was one of the absentees, when he got injured in the prior game against Palermo in a heavy collision with midfielder Giulio Migliaccio.

Early reports said that the Norwegian was expected to be fully fit before this weekend's important game against Genoa.

However, further scans have revealed that his ankle injury is far worse than first diagnosed and he will be out of action for six weeks.

The bitter blow of Riise's injury has been softened by the news that Francesco Totti, Simone Perrotta and Julio Baptista are all possibly returning to action this weekend, after numerous injuries that prevented them from playing last week.