Defender Milan Skriniar will start for Inter in this evening’s friendly clash with Villarreal, his first start of the preseason.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the entire first-choice backline of Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, and Alessandro Bastoni will be given a run-out against the Spanish side.

Skriniar had missed the early parts of Inter’s preseason preparations due to recovering from a muscle injury that he had sustained while on international duty with Slovakia, whilst transfer links also cast doubt on his future at Inter.

However, the 27-year-old was back in action last weekend, coming off the bench during the second half of the Nerazzurri’s friendly clash with Lyon.

Now, Skriniar will get the chance to play from the first minute, forming the first-choice trio at the back with Bastoni and de Vrij who will get a crucial opportunity to re-find their chemistry with the start of the season just a week away.