Hellas Verona coach Paolo Sammarco has confirmed that Gift Orban will not feature in the club’s upcoming Serie A clash against US Lecce after training separately during the week following an altercation with a fan.

Speaking ahead of the match, Sammarco addressed the situation directly and explained the decision taken regarding the striker.

When asked how Orban had looked in training and for his opinion on the incident, the Verona boss told the club's official webpage: “Regarding Orban, personally, his actions were too far from my values. He trained separately this week and won't be called up for the Lecce match."

The absence of Orban, who has scored seven goals and provided two assists to make him Verona’s leading scorer this season, comes at a challenging moment for the side, who have been struggling for results in recent fixtures.

His attacking contributions have been vital, making his omission a significant setback as the team seeks to improve its position.

Despite the off-field distraction involving their top scorer, the Verona coach emphasised the importance of focusing on improving performances and securing a positive result in the upcoming fixture.

The striker’s absence leaves a gap in the attacking setup, but Sammarco remains focused on the collective effort of the squad.

There are also uncertainties surrounding whether Orban’s omission will extend beyond the Lecce match.

However, Sammarco indicated that any further decision will be made after internal discussions within the club.

When asked if the decision regarding Orban would apply only to the Lecce game or future matches as well, Sammarco said, “Right now, we're focused on this game: he won't be available for tomorrow. Then, together with the club, we'll evaluate what to do.”

For now, Verona will prepare to face Lecce without their leading scorer as they continue their battle against relegation in Serie A.

Wale Adejumo