Italy number eight Sergio Parisse looks set to recover from injury in time for the start of the RBS 6 Nations in February.
Parisse has been out of action since breaking his collarbone playing for club side Treviso against Leinster in the European Cup first round on October 23.
But an Italian Rugby Federation spokesman said: We are optimistic that Parisse will recover in time for the Six Nations.
That will be a relief to Azzurri coach John Kirwan as he is likely to be without experienced winger Denis Dallan for the majority of the tournament because of the Achilles tendon injury he suffered in the international against Canada earlier this month.
Dallan will be out for five months but we are hoping that he may be fit to play the last Six Nations game against France, the spokesman added.