Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini says Josip Ilicic is closer to a playing return.

Ilicic has stepped down from the first team after suffering a bout of depression.

Gasperini said, “I was sceptical that he could get back to the level he was at before, but I can say that I am today far more confident, because he's made big steps forward over the last two weeks. He started training with the rest of his teammates on Sunday and if we get him back, we're a much stronger team.

“We'll be playing three games a week until at least January, so I have to rotate the squad more than I did in the past. It's also a balance, getting the new players settled in and accustomed to our methods."