The Italy international brought an unhappy three-year spell at Liverpool to an end last month when he signed for Viola, but he has been limited to just two substitute appearances for Vincenzo Montella's side this season due to the problem.

Aquilani was hoping to make his first Serie A start for the Florence club this weekend against Catania, but his doctor has recommended the 28-year-old sits out a further two weeks to aid his recovery.

A statement from the Italian outfit read: "ACF Fiorentina announces that Alberto Aquilani was visited today in London by Prof. Nicola Maffulli regarding his Achilles tendinopathy.

"The specialist found no significant changes, but suggested, however, treatment for another two weeks.''

Aquilani spent the last two years on loan at Juventus and AC Milan before making a permanent switch back to his homeland with Fiorentina during the off-season after being deemed surplus to requirements by new Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.