Di Canio set for for Lazio return

Lazio hope to tie up a deal for Charlton striker Paolo di Canio in the next 24 hours.

The 36-year-old has indicated he wants to end his career with the club he supported as a boy and where he started his career.

Lazio sporting director Oreste Cinquini told PA International the only hurdle to be cleared was for Charlton to give the move their blessing.

Cinquini said: "We are hoping to make Paolo di Canio's signing official on Tuesday.

"The player is currently in talks with Charlton.

"We have had negotiations with di Canio and we are just waiting to see how those talks work out."

Asked how long di Canio would spend at Lazio, Cinquini said: "It could be for one or two years - I am confident the player wants to end his career at Lazio."

Di Canio starred in Italy for Lazio, Ternana, Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan before joining Celtic in 1996.

He moved on to Sheffield Wednesday and then to West Ham before joining Charlton before the start of the 2003-4 season.

He had agreed to stay on with the Addicks but now looks set to return to Rome provided he can talk around Charlton.