Livorno go into Wednesday's home encounter against Cagliari trying to digest the news of captain Cristiano Lucarelli's decision to leave the club in the summer.

The Italy international announced earlier this week he will leave his hometown club at the end of the season, and blasted fans for getting on the backs of the players.

Lucarelli, Serie A's top scorer in the 2004-5 season with 24 goals for the Tuscany-based club, vented his anger after last weekend's 1-1 draw with Reggina.

"That's enough," said Lucarelli. "It's time to break the link with Livorno.

"I will do my best for the rest of the season so we can finish as high in the table as possible, but I am not having fans questioning our commitment.

"My mind's made up."

Lucarelli, 31, has been the club's star player since signing for Livorno in 2003.

He has scored 16 goals this season in Serie A and is a contender to be "capocannoniere" again.

Livorno president Aldo Spinelli has defended Lucarelli but is hoping that the player will reconsider his decision.

"I cannot understand how you can criticise a player like him," said Spinelli.

"To lose a player like him would mean relegation for us. I just hope things like this do not happen again."

Livorno fans have reason to be upset with the team's campaign so far.

The men from Leghorn still have to come out of first gear having only managed one win in the last eight encounters.

With seven games left to play, Livorno still have some work to do in order to keep their Serie A status.

They find themselves in 12th place in the standings, seven points clear of the drop zone.

Opponents Cagliari go into the encounter at the Armando Picchi stadium one point clear of Wednesday's rivals.

The islanders picked up a point in a goalless draw at home to Empoli on Saturday to move nine clear of the relegation zone.

But the Sardinian outfit know there is still a long way to go before they can celebrate.

"We cannot give up," said goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti.

"Even if we have taken a step forward with a win at Palermo and a draw against Empoli, we must be on our guard until we achieve our aim."

The Rossoblu go into the encounter determined to clinch their third triumph on the road this campaign in the hope that it will inspire them for their more challenging clash against AC Milan on Sunday.

The good news for coach Marco Giampaolo is that strikers Antonio Langella and Andrea Capone have brushed aside their respective injuries and will be available to play.

Their availability is all the more crucial considering Cagliari have one of the weakest striking forces in the competition, with only 26 goals scored in 31 games.

The hosts will have to do without injured defender David Balleri.