Antonio Conte will need help from Inter’s fringe players in midfield if he is to keep their Serie A title bid on track, according to a report in the Italian media today.

Tuttosport’s print edition pointed out that the postponement of last Saturday’s fixture at home to Sassuolo means the Nerazzurri will need to fit in an extra midweek game in April.

In addition to this, Nicolo Barella and Marcelo Brozovic are both still one booking away from picking up a suspension, meaning Conte will almost certainly need help from his second-string midfielders.

Arturo Vidal, Matias Vecino and Stefano Sensi will therefore be crucial to the Nerazzurri’s hopes of fending off any fightback from AC Milan and Juventus.

Vidal is recovering well after undergoing knee surgery on March 12, having recently begun the second phase of his rehabilitation which should ensure he is available for Conte within three weeks.

Vecino made his long-awaited return to first-team action in the 2-1 win at Torino two weekends ago, after his own knee surgery last year, but he must now recover from COVID-19 after testing positive on Thursday.

Sensi has only made one start in all competitions this season after being plagued by yet more physical gremlins, but Conte remain hopeful he can provide a contribution given that the 25-year-old is Inter’s next closest thing to Christian Eriksen in terms of playing style.

Conte will need all three fit and firing if Inter are to secure their first league title in 11 years without unnecessary stress.