The opening round of games, which were due to begin last weekend, was postponed when the AIC called a strike in protest at the refusal of the union of clubs (LEGA) to sign the collective bargaining contract.

A source from the AIC said on Saturday that the contract was on the verge of being signed early next week in time for the second round of Serie A games.

"We only need to review a few things tied to the regulations and our lawyers are working on finalising everything."

The agreement will mean the first fixture of the 2011/12 Serie A campaign will be AC Milan against Lazio on Friday.

It came a day after AIC president Damiano Tommasi said they were optimistic the second round of games would be played.

"We received the proposal from the Lega's meeting on September 1 and are working on it," a statement from Tommasi read. There is moderate optimism."