By DANIELLA MATAR
Associated Press
Associated Press Sports
updated 10:16 a.m. ET Jan. 13, 2012
MILAN (AP) -Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder makes a timely return from injury for Sunday's derby against Serie A leader AC Milan.
Sneijder has not played since Nov. 2 but the Dutchman is back to boost Inter for one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the season.
"I had a really great day today...I can't wait until the derby on Sunday!" Sneijder wrote on Twitter this week.
Inter is looking for a sixth successive victory, a run that has seen it climb to fifth in the standings. It is eight points behind joint leaders Milan and Juventus, which hosts Cagliari on Sunday.
Milan has won the last three derby matches, in all competitions, with former Inter hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring in two of them.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri reveals Zlatan is one of the most charged up players ahead of the clash.
"(Gennaro) Gattuso incarnates the spirit of the derby," Allegri said. "And then there's the hard core, (Alessandro) Nesta and (Massimo) Ambrosini, as well as of course Ibrahimovic in that how he also looks at the game as an ex Inter player.
"Sometimes I even get angry with Zlatan. He loves the battle because he likes being stimulated. He gets very angry with the others, but also with himself."
Allegri has an almost full squad to choose from, apart from long-term injury absentees Antonio Cassano, Mathieu Flamini and Mario Yepes, while Alberto Aquilani remains a doubt. Gattuso could make a surprise return to action after fourth months out with an eye injury.
Inter coach Claudio Ranieri also has a full side available and he hopes the wealth of options which both sides have ensures it is a thrilling encounter.
"You feel that there is something different in the city these past few days," Ranieri said. "Our fans spur us on to do well and that will also be the case with Milan. I hope it's a good game, of course we'll try to win but what's important is to have a lively game."
Inter was lying close to the relegation zone not so long ago after a dreadful start to the season which prompted Ranieri to replace Gian Piero Gasperini. The former Juventus and Roma coach took time to work his magic, and has succeeded in turning the team's fortunes around. Inter has scored nine goals in its past two matches.
"Obviously we're better than two months ago," Ranieri said. "But we still have a lot of work to do. That's why, when I say that Milan has more to lose, I'm telling the truth, because they're fighting for the title and we're not yet."
Juventus, the only team still unbeaten in the league, will be looking on keenly as its match at home to Cagliari finishes four hours before the derby kicks off.
Marco Borriello is set to make his debut for Juventus following his switch from Roma and he will immediately try to get the fans onside after they protested against his signing.
Udinese is two points below the top two and it travels to Genoa, which will be looking to turn things around swiftly after conceding nine goals in two matches.
Lazio is the other team to make up the top five and it welcomes Atalanta in Sunday's early game.
At the other end of the table is a match between Cesena and Novara, who are six points behind 17th-placed Bologna, which visits Napoli on Monday.
Lecce travel to Fiorentina, which has won only one of its past five games but is nevertheless expected to make light work of the rock-bottom side.
Elsewhere, Roberto Donadoni takes charge of his first game as Parma coach when his new team welcomes Siena. Donadoni replaced the fired Franco Colomba.
Also, Roma travels to Catania on Saturday, and Chievo hosts Palermo on Sunday.
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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