Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic will make his return to the starting line-up for Monday’s Serie A clash against Sampdoria after a recent injury.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere dello Sport, the 30-year-old has made a recovery from a thigh strain sustained during Croatia’s 3-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in December and is ready to return to coach Simone Inzaghi’s team.
In addition to earning a first start of the calendar year, Brozovic will be handed the captain’s armband after Milan Skriniar was stripped of the role, and there is a focus on ensuring that he reaches full match fitness ahead of Inter’s Champions League tie against Porto on 22 February.
Elsewhere, Romelu Lukaku is likely to start in attack as he also seeks to build up his fitness, and will be partnered by Lautaro Martinez.
Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be given a rest at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, whilst Francesco Acerbi is likely to start at centre-back ahead of Stefan De Vrij.