With Alvaro Morata out due to injury, Noah Okafor will start up front for AC Milan against Parma in their Serie A match, manager Paulo Fonseca announced on Friday.

Morata, who signed with Milan in July, scored on his debut last weekend in the 2-2 draw with Torino after coming off the bench, but he is likely to miss at least three weeks due to a thigh injury.

As Milan rallied from a two-goal deficit, Okafor also in as a substitute and netted the equaliser.

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As a result, Luka Jovic will start on the bench for Saturday’s match against Parma, while Okafor will start for Milan.

“I have to be honest, Okafor will play tomorrow,” Fonseca told a press conference.

“It will be a different game than the first one. We want to have the capacity to play higher compared to the game with Torino.

“During the week, Okafor responded well and the characteristics of the match suit his qualities. Luka could be useful later in the game.”

Morata had been dealing with a muscle condition when he arrived at Milan after captaining Spain to their Euro 2024 success.

“He wanted to play, but together with my staff, we understood that it would be risky,” Fonseca said.

“He told us he was fine. It’s a problem when players arrive late and we need to play them, but I believe we handled the situation well.”

Francesco Camarda, 16, who made history last year by becoming the youngest player in Serie A at the age of fifteen years, eight months, and fifteen days, was another option up front.

“No, he won’t be with us. Our youngsters have quality, we have to choose the right moment to play them,” Fonseca said.

“This is not the time to create this pressure for young players.

“They are working close to us, when there is the chance and the right time we will let them play.”