Inter striker Romelu Lukaku is likelier to start against Sampdoria the weekend after this one than he is to start against AC Milan on Sunday.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Nerazzurri’s priority is to get the Belgian in form ahead of their first leg Champions League round of sixteen clash with Porto later this month.

Lukaku started against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia in midweek, and given that the 29-year-old’s performance was one of his most impressive of the season, there is a chance that he will be given the nod in the starting eleven for the derby on Sunday.

However, according to the Corriere, it is still likelier that Lukaku will start on the bench against the Rossoneri.

Rather, the newspaper, the plan will probably be for the Belgian to start against Sampdoria in the following league fixture, in anticipation of the match against Porto later this month.