Alexis Sanchez is hoping to start for Inter in their Coppa Italia quarter-final against AC Milan on Tuesday, according to reports in the Italian media.

As per Corriere dello Sport’s print edition, the Chilean should be fit to feature in Antonio Conte’s squad for Saturday’s match against his former club Udinese, but Sanchez is unlikely to replace Romelu Lukaku or Lautaro Martinez in the starting XI.

It is therefore more plausible that he could play in next week’s Derby della Madonnina, where Conte is more likely to rotate his side.

Sanchez did not play in yesterday’s training friendly against Serie C outfit Pro Sesto, which Inter won 4-0, as he continues to carefully manage the fatigued thigh which caused him pain towards the end of Sunday’s Derby d’Italia against Juventus.

This season Sanchez has been utilised mainly as an alternative to one of Inter’s two strikers and has not quite hit the heights that he did last season, so far anyway.

In 17 appearances across all competitions, the former Barcelona player has made 17 appearances across all competitions, in which he has scored two goals and provided four assists.