Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is hoping that the team can return to Serie A action in January in top form and stay within touching distance of league leaders Napoli.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the team’s 6-1 friendly win over Gzira United, via FCInterNews, the 28-year-old stressed the need to use the break and then the packed January period to keep themselves in contention for the Scudetto.

It is now less than a month left before Inter return to action in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri will come back with a bang, hosting league leaders Napoli at the San Siro on January.

A result, preferably a win, will be absolutely vital in that match if Inter are to continue to threaten the Partenopei over the remainder of the season.

Moreover, things will hardly let up afterwards, as the Nerazzurri will face a densely-packed fixture schedule in which they will hope to show the kind of form needed to capitalize on any setbacks from Napoli and their other rivals at the top end of the table.

“We’re here to get ourselves prepared, it’s good to start like this,” Calhanoglu said of the 6-1 win over Gzira United.

“We want to start off strong, the important thing is not to get injured in these friendlies because we need everyone available for the rest of the season.”

“Napoli are doing very well,” the Turk added, “but we’ve shown in our last 6-7 matches that we are as well.”

“We want to keep within striking distance of the teams above us,” he concluded.