Barusso gets Ranieri backing

Ghana midfielder Ahmed Barusso still has a future with Italian side AS Roma according to coach Claudio Ranieri.

Barusso is currently on loan at Serie B side Brescia but he could recalled to Roma after the Italian winter break.

The news will be a boost to Barusso's chances of returning to the Ghana team in time for next year's World Cup.

"Barusso was sent on loan [by former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti] before my arrival, so there was nothing I could do about it," Ranieri told BBC Sport.

"He is a player I like though. He is very strong, physically.

"I keep an eye on all our players that are out on loan and if Barusso does well then he can still give something to Roma."

The 24-year-old was part of Ghana's team at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, which they hosted, but has not featured since Serbian Milovan Rajevac replaced Claude Le Roy as coach.

A return to play in the Serie A would improve Barusso's prospects of catching the attention of the Serb.

Barusso fell out of favour under Spalletti and spent last season on loan at Siena, where he also struggled to establish himself in the first team, but he is now playing regularly at Brescia.