ROME Former Italy international Roberto Baggio could be in line for a shock comeback for his club this season, and he might even be in the running for Italy's World Cup squad, according to Brescia President Gino Corioni.

Brescia forward Baggio injured his knee ligaments in an Italian cup match against Parma in January and doctors predicted he would be out of action for the rest of the season, reported Reuters.

But Corioni says Baggio, 35, has made a miraculous recovery. "Baggio wants to play against Inter (Milan) on Sunday or go on the bench," Corioni was quoted as saying in Tuesday's **** Corriere dello Sport **** newspaper.

"Think: Two and a half months ago he had an operation on his knee ligaments and normally it would take six to eight months to return to the field. He is well. It is extraordinary."

The paper said Baggio was unlikely to figure this weekend although he could be back in action in time for Italian Coach Giovanni Trapattoni to give him a glance before finalizing Italy's World Cup squad.

"It's true that at the end of the season, in the last or the penultimate game, Baggio will be on the pitch and will be in the thoughts of Trapattoni," Corioni said.

Brescia have struggled in the absence of former European player of the year Baggio, who has scored eight goals this season, and they currently lie one place above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Baggio played in the last three World Cups, making his mark at the 1990 tournament on home soil with a fine individual strike against Czechoslovakia before leading the azzurri to third place.

In 1994, he missed the crucial penalty in the shootout in the final against Brazil, and was a surprise inclusion in the 1998 World Cup squad. He did not make the Italian squad for Euro 2000.