VidiVici Bologna captain Fabio di Bella is ready to return for club and country after five months out with a back injury.

The playmaker was injured during the derby against Fortitudo and has missed 19 games in Lega A, 14 in the EuroCup and three in the Coppa Italia.

However Di Bella is now preparing to make his comeback and believes he is better than ever.

He said: "I believe I will be able to give something new with my return to the squad, maybe a bit of freshness and for sure enthusiasm.

"The words of my team-mate Christian Drejer pleased me. He told me that the squad is very pleased with my recovery and that everything I will do from now to the end of the season will be a great bonus for the team.

"We are second in the league and we qualified for the EuroCup final four and we made the Coppa Italia final, although we sadly lost against Treviso."

An operation on his troublesome back had forced Di Bella to play a waiting game, but now the problems appear to be in the past for the 28 year-old.

He added: "The back does not hurt anymore. 

"I have trained with my team-mates in the last few weeks, and I felt the strain in training as I was tired through lack of fitness.

"But, what counts for more, is that the back did not give me further trouble, so I'm ready to rumble again."

On rejoining the national team he added: "I spoke already with (Italy coach Carlo) Recalcati, and I told him if at the end of the Lega A season, I'm totally fit and ready to play 40 minutes, then I would be proud to wear the Azzurri shirt again."

Meanwhile, Bologna have also confirmed the signing of forward Tyrone Grant.

The former Olimpia Milano and Teramo player should arrive in Bologna on Monday for a medical and to be enrolled in time for the match against Milano on April 7.