Milan optimistic that Stam will be ready for PSV

AC Milan are optimistic that Jaap Stam will be fit to play in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch defender suffered a muscle strain in a 3-0 win against Serie A rivals Parma on Saturday.

"We still have to do some tests. He wants to play against PSV and we want him there as well, but without risks. Knowing him, however, there's cautious optimism," team doctor Jean Pierre Meersseman was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday.

Milan have already lost their other first-choice central defender Alessandro Nesta to suspension, but missing Tuesday's game would be a huge personal blow for Stam, who played for PSV between 1996 and 1998.

"I have to play because of (Alessandro) Nesta's suspension, but also just because I really want to be there," he said.

Should Stam fail to recover in time Milan stalwart Alessandro Costacurta, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Sunday, is expected to step in.

Milan's other big injury worry, midfielder Andrea Pirlo, is almost certain to feature in the starting line-up after taking part in training as usual on Sunday.