Mario Mandzukic is ready to feature for Juventus against Lazio on Saturday and head coach Massimiliano Allegri cautioned anyone against telling the forward otherwise.

Mandzukic sustained a knock to the ankle while away on international duty with Croatia but played through the pain in Monday's 2-0 win over Ukraine.

And Allegri insists the 31-year-old is bullish over his prospects of doing so again as the Serie A champions aim to return to winning ways, having been pegged back to a 2-2 draw at Atalanta last time out.

"No, don't tell Mandzukic that he's injured, that he's got a knock – if you do that he'll get angry," the head coach told a pre-match news conference, where he confirmed Sami Khedira was available and fellow midfielder Miralem Pjanic would not be risked before Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sporting CP.

"He's back and he's fine. I don't think it was anything too serious with Croatia. He can play – he trained really well."

Mandzukic's form left Gonzalo Higuain on the bench briefly last month and Juventus' top scorer from last season was left out as his country, Argentina, dramatically sealed World Cup qualification.

The former Real Madrid and Napoli striker was on target in Juve's previous two matches and Allegri backed him to hit prime form with the campaign now in full swing.

"Higuain will have a good month, he's very motivated and in great condition," he said.

"He aims to play at the World Cup and in order to do so he must have a good season."