Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has again defended striker Mirko Vucinic after he was booed by fans during their defeat to Udinese.

Vucinic is struggling for form and is being barracked by his home fans.

Ranieri said: "Strikers go through these periods of poor form, it happens. The fact remains I must thank Vucinic for his efforts. He is not fully fit, but I continue to play him because I have no alternative."