Pogba not in Juventus squad to face Sampdoria despite Allegri reprieve

The France international has had a torrid time of things since returning to Juve from Manchester United last July, appearing for just 34 minutes across two substitute appearances.

Pogba appeared to have put his injury issues behind him when featuring in back-to-back games against Torino and Roma, but he was dropped for Thursday's match with Freiburg.

That was down to Pogba turning up late for a team meeting ahead of the Europa League tie, but Massimiliano Allegri said on Saturday he would be involved against Sampdoria.

However, the 29-year-old was not included on the 21-man squad list published by Juve on Sunday, with reports suggesting he sustained another muscular injury in training.

Angel Di Maria, Federico Chiesa, Alex Sandro, Arkadiusz Milik and the suspended Moise Kean were the other notable absentees from the Bianconeri squad.

Allegri said on the eve of the game that goalkeeper Mattia Perin and forward Dusan Vlahovic would both start against Sampdoria at the Allianz Stadium.

Juve's loss to Roma last time out ended a four-game winning run in the Italian top flight, but a home match against bottom side Samp provided a chance to respond.