Gianluigi Buffon is set to return in goal for Juventus when they travel to Chievo on Sunday.

The Italy goalkeeper has been sidelined for the last month following meniscus surgery, but has declared himself fit to come back into Ciro Ferrara's side in Verona.

"After a month of rest, I am ready to return," Buffon told his personal website gianluigibuffon.com.

"The entire post-operative phase has gone forward and I have never had any problems and I have worked extremely hard to recover.

"So on Sunday afternoon it is expected I will return in goal.

"I want to compliment (back-up Alex) Manninger for the performances he has put in in this period, confirming once again his great professionalism."

Buffon's return will come as a boost to Juve as they look to bounce back from last Sunday's 3-0 loss to AC Milan, a result that cost them the chance of moving up to second place in Serie A.

Although pressure is mounting on boss Ferrara the board have expressed their confidence in him, and his case was further boosted by a 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Napoli in mid-week.

"The victory by my team-mates against Napoli in the Coppa Italia has helped boost morale," Buffon added.

"But we all know that will not be enough unless we are able to find consistency in our results.

"We will try to repeat what happened in the first half of the season, when a victory over Chievo was the start of four straight wins that moved us towards the top of the league."

While Buffon may be back, Ferrara is still facing a lengthy injury list.

Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, Martin Caceres, David Trezeguet, Sebastian Giovinco and Christian Poulsen have all been ruled out of the match, while Mohamed Sissoko is on African Nations Cup duty with Mali.

Additionally, Zdenek Grygera, Nicola Legrottaglie, Diego, Fabio Grosso, Felipe Melo and Claudio Marchisio are all battling injuries and could also miss out.

Whichever Juve players do manage to turn out will face a Chievo side that has struggled in 2010, losing all three competitive games they have played.

Defeats to Inter Milan and Roma in the league were followed with a 3-2 loss to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia on Thursday.

However, with his team in mid-table and only six points off Europe, coach Mimmo Di Carlo is staying upbeat.

"I was pleased with the performance of my boys (against Fiorentina)," he said.

"We stood up to the Viola, but ultimately they overcame us. It is a shame, because we went very close to going 2-1 up but then Fiorentina turned it around with a lucky goal and another one that was a bit naive from us.

"But we leave the cup with heads held high and positive feelings.

"On Sunday, against Juventus, I expect to see further improvements, both in terms of performance and above all in the results."

Chievo will be without injured pair Fabio Moro and Francesco Scardina, while Giampiero Pinzi, Santiago Morero, Luca Rigoni and Davide Mandelli are doubtful.