Toni starts on return to Italy, Beckham waits

Striker Luca Toni will start for new club Roma at Cagliari this afternoon when Serie A returns from its mid-season break.

The striker has signed on loan for the rest of the season having been frozen out at Bayern Munich and goes straight into the in-form side, joint fourth after going seven games unbeaten.

"I've found him to be fitter than I expected. He will play at Cagliari. With him, it's a different Roma," coach Claudio Ranieri, without the injured Francesco Totti, told reporters.

Cagliari, who have taken Juventus defender Lorenzo Ariaudo on loan, will have to cope with a Toni desperate to shine and force his way back into the Italy squad for the World Cup.

Another fresh arrival in Serie A with June's tournament in South Africa on his mind is David Beckham.

The England midfielder has begun his second loan spell at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy in a bid to secure his World Cup place, but he does not expect to start at home to Genoa.

"Of course, I scored against Genoa (last season) and I would love a repeat. I remember that goal with great emotion. However, I am here to be helpful to the team, even five minutes' playing time is fine," said the 34-year-old, whose team lie second.

Leaders and champions Inter will also parade a new-yet-old face for their early afternoon trip to Chievo.

Forward Goran Pandev, signed as a youngster by Inter almost a decade ago before making his way to Lazio, joined Inter this week as a free agent after leaving the Rome club following a contract dispute.

The Macedonian arrived just in time with Inter short of forwards given Samuel Eto'o is with Cameroon at the African Nations Cup, David Suazo has been loaned to Genoa and reserve Marko Arnautovic has not impressed.

Coach Jose Mourinho, who will still have Diego Milito upfront, is likely to include the little-used Patrick Vieira in midfield with Dejan Stankovic and Thiago Motta suspended.

The midday kickoff at Chievo, arranged so more games can be shown separately on television on the Epiphany holiday, is causing problems for Serie A players not used to games so early.

"Instead of breakfast, we will have lunch at 9 a.m. It's hard," Chievo striker Sergio Pellissier told reporters.

Inter are eight points above Milan, who lost to Palermo last time but have a game in hand, and nine ahead of the severely faltering Juventus in third.

Reports are rife that Russia coach Guus Hiddink could replace rookie Ciro Ferrara if Juve do not play well in today's trip to high-flying Parma, where Fabio Cannavaro is suspended, and Sunday's home game with Milan.

The Turin club have backed Ferrara and denied contact with Hiddink but more dreadful performances by close-season signings Felipe Melo and Diego could force their hand.

Fiorentina, who also had a bad patch before the break to drop to 10th, welcome defender Felipe for the Tuscan derby at lowly Siena after the Brazilian signed on loan from Udinese.

Meanwhile, top striker Antonio Di Natale is suspended as stuttering Udinese start life under new coach Gianni De Biasi at Bari.