Inter striker Romelu Lukaku is not likely to be available for this weekend’s Serie A clash with Udinese, and is instead working to try and reach his best form during October and November.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, who report that the Belgian is not likely to rush back in time to face the Friulians on Sunday and that his goal is to build up his fitness in time to be at his absolute best after the return from the international break.

Lukaku has now missed out on four matches for the Nerazzurri with a thigh strain and will also be ruled out for tomorrow’s Champions League group stage clash with Viktoria Plzen.

A return as soon as Sunday’s Serie A match against Udinese is not out of the question, but the plan is more geared towards giving the 29-year-old all the time he needs to come back firing after the break, with many important matches on the horizon during October and November.