Inter have released an update on the injury suffered by midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu whilst on international duty, revealing that the 29-year-old has suffered a thigh strain.
This is confirmed by the club in a press release on their official site, where they update that the Turk underwent medical tests which confirmed the presence of a strain to the adductor muscles of his right thigh, leaving him a doubt for the first leg of the Champions League tie against Benfica.
It is still not clear when exactly Calhanoglu will be able to return to the pitch for Inter, given that the club’s update regarding his condition does not go into more detail than that he has suffered a thigh strain.
However, with injuries of this nature, it is rare for a player to be able to recover in less than a couple of weeks.
Therefore, it is likely that the former AC Milan midfielder will not only be out for three matches as has already been reported, but also that he is a major doubt for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal clash in Lisbon, which is in less than two weeks’ time.
This comes as a major injury blow for Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi, as Calhanoglu is a key man in midfield.
The 29-year-old has made 36 appearances in all competitions so far this season, as he has grown into the role of deep-lying playmaker and become important for making the team tick centrally.
However, for at least the next three or four matches, Inter will have to find solutions in the regista position with the Turk unavailable.
Marcelo Brozovic and Kristjan Asllani are fit, and likely to be called into action during the period.
Given that the Nerazzurri play a total of nine matches across just thirty days in the month of April, Inzaghi will be anxious to get Calhanoglu back fit as soon as possible.