Roma's battle to secure Serie A's second automatic Champions League spot looks to have suffered a blow after Gervinho was sidelined with a "minor hamstring strain".

A statement from the club said: "Gervinho underwent tests this morning which revealed he has a minor strain to his hamstring. The Ivorian has already begun treatment."

Roma did not say for how long the Ivorian striker would be sidelined, although several media outlets in Italy believe Gervinho's season could already be over.

With three games remaining Rudi Garcia's men sit second in Serie A, 16 points behind recently-crowned champions Juventus, with Lazio in third place only a point adrift.

Roma play Udinese, Lazio and Palermo in their final three games with Lazio facing an arguably tougher run-in against Sampdoria, Roma and Napoli.

Napoli, who sit fourth, three points adrift of Lazio, remain in contention for one of the league's three Champions League spots.

Napoli can however qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League. They drew their semi-final first leg with Ukraine outfit Dnipro 1-1, with the second leg scheduled for Thursday.