Italian reports suggest Lazio may finally play the second friendly they owe the Blues as part of Matteo Sereni’s 2003 transfer later this summer. The Italian goalkeeper, now with Torino, left the Blues for the Rome club at the height of the club’s financial problems for nothing other than the promise of two Portman Road friendlies.

The first of those games was played in 2006 with the Italian side winning 2-0, but the second match is still outstanding.

Various Italian media sources are reporting that Lazio will finally return to Suffolk to fulfil that commitment this summer.

However, the date on which they claim the game will be played, July 31st, is the day on which the West Ham friendly has been set with Town having no plans to move that match, so fans of the Biancocelesti may have to wait even longer to see them at Portman Road for a second time.

The Blues are likely to make further announcements regarding pre-season matches next week with no tour yet having been confirmed. Town, who start pre-season training on June 28th, are also looking to repeat last year’s training camp in Portugal, but probably not the two-day visit to Colchester barracks.

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