.... JUVE PREPARE TO DAVIDS DEPARTURE
Juventus general director Luciano Moggi reckons the club would cope if Edgar Davids were to leave next summer.

Davids' substitute already wears the Bianconeri colours and his name is Appiah - he is Davids' natural replacement.

Speculation that a parting of the ways between the Italian champions and their Dutch midfielder is on the cards has increased since Davids was left out of Juve's team for their victorious Italian Supercup outing against AC Milan on Sunday.

The 30-year-old's contract with the Bianconeri runs out in June 2004 and he has admitted he is interested in moving to the English Premiership then.

Davids appears to have fallen down coach Marcello Lippi's pre-season pecking order at Juve following a disappointing performance against Manchester United in last Thursday's embarrasing 4-1 defeat.

Moggi explained: "Davids played badly in one match and Lippi has placed him on the bench, as has happened with other players."

Moggi claimed that the Turin giants would prefer to keep Davids, but pointed out that a replacement - new signing from Parma Stephen Appiah - was ready to step in should his midfield berth become available.

Moggi added: "As always, there are players that go and players that come.

"Davids has stated his wish to remain with us and we are ready to keep him.

"If, in the future, he wanted to leave as a free transfer after playing this season with us, he can go.

"We would find other players to join us on a free transfer, life continues.

"Davids' substitute already wears the Bianconeri colours and his name is Appiah - he is Davids' natural replacement."