Ibrahimovic 'always wants to play', says AC Milan coach

"I won't ask Zlatan if he wants to play, because I already know the answer," said Pioli amid a tight schedule of games every three days.

"There will be changes, but I don't like talking about turnover, I have many starters and I will field the best team.

"If I ask Ibra if he feels like it, he will always tell me yes."

AC Milan are top of the Serie A table after five games as the 18-times champions target a first league title since 2011 when Ibrahimovic last played for the club.

Pioli's side won their Europa League opener 3-1 at Celtic and next travel to Sparta Prague before a home tie against French club Lille next week.

"We have a lot of games so I'm making the necessary assessments," continued Pioli.

"We have another match just two and a half days later on Sunday at midday against Udinese."

Ibrahimovic, 39, is the top scorer in Serie A with three braces in three maches played, having missed two with Covid-19.

Romanian Ciprian Tatarusanu will stand in for Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has also tested positive for coronavirus.

AC Milan are top of Europa League Group H alongside Lille. Both teams meet at the San Siro on November 5.

Former Italian giants AC Milan meanwhile announced Wednesday that club legend Franco Baresi, a winner of three European Cups and six league titles during his 20-year playing career, has been appointed an honorary vice-president.