CHARLTON forward Paolo Di Canio broke into his 36th birthday celebrations to dismiss speculation linking him with a move back to Italy with former club Lazio.

His agent, Moreno Roggi, said: “It’s pleasing to know that Lazio are thinking of Paolo but there is no chance. He recently extended his deal with Charlton and it’s unlikely that he will go back to Lazio.”

Not content with that denial, the Charlton fans’ favourite intervened personally to scotch rumours.

Di Canio, who made 64 appearances for Lazio, said “I get linked with them every single year. It’s true that the fans still love me, even after all these years they know I’m one of them. Every summer the club gets 15,000 people signing a petition to try and get me back.

“I was successful when I was there and they have always kept up with how I’ve done in the Premiership. It makes me proud but I won’t be going back as I love playing for Charlton at the moment.”

Di Canio, who appeared in all but seven Premiership games last season, has declared himself fully fit for the pre-season after an agonising end to last term.

He limped off with a rib injury before half-time in the final game against Southampton and was unable to sleep properly for two weeks. Now, he believes the enforced rest has helped his preparation for the new campaign.

He said: “I had about 20 days of doing nothing and now I’m back in training feeling full of energy.”

The former AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli and West Ham striker spent much of the summer break at his new house in Terni, near Rome, and found time to play in a charity match in Florence alongside Paul Gascoigne and Italian World Cup winners Bruno Conti and Giancarlo Antognoni.