Livorno president Aldo Spinelli has declared he wants to bring Shakhtar Donetsk striker Cristiano Lucarelli back to the club in January.

"I hope that he returns," the Amaranto chief declared. "He plays in the Champions League, but they don't use him much in the League.

"He wants to be on the pitch all the time so maybe he could come back. All I'm waiting for is a sign."

It is believed that Lucarelli's wage demands may be too great for the Tuscan strugglers, who are propping up Serie A.

"I'm waiting with open arms because he did such great things for us, but the Ukrainians may have to give us a hand with the cost.

"If they go out of the Champions League there could be a deal," Spinelli concluded.