Inter are optimistic that defender Stefan de Vrij will be back from his thigh injury in time for their Coppa Italia semi-final second leg clash with AC Milan next week.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the Nerazzurri do not expect that the muscular strain will be serious or rule him out for long.

De Vrij had to come off during halftime of Inter’s 2-0 win over Hellas Verona yesterday evening, the one real dark spot on the evening for the Nerazzurri.

The Dutchman, who was making his return from a calf injury, was found to have suffered a strain to his left thigh during the first half, though it does not look to be very serious.

The recovery timeline for the 30-year-old isn’t yet clear, but it is possible that he’ll already be back in time to face Spezia on Friday in Serie A, and if not then, the Nerazzurri are optimistic that he can play against the Rossoneri.