Inter midfieler Hakan Calhanoglu could be out for around two weeks with the thigh strain that he is currently sidelined with, if a previous similar injury is anything to go by.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who note that the 29-year-old had been out for right around fourteen days with a thigh strain suffered in a Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen, and that he could be back for the second leg against Benfica.

Inter have confirmed that Calhanoglu has suffered a strain to the adductor muscles of his right thigh based on tests undergone with the club’s medical staff.

There is little certainty on when precisely the Turkish international will be able to return from the injury picked up whilst playing in a EURO 2024 qualifier against Croatia during the break.

However, what looks very clear is that he will be out for around a couple of weeks, and that the likelihood of a return in time to start in the first leg of the Nerazzurri’s Champions League quarterfinal tie against Benfica doesn’t look at all likely.

The Corriere dello Sport project that 15-20 days is the likely timeline for the 29-year-old’s recovery from the injury.

Tuttosport add that the previous similar injury could be a guide for when Calhanoglu will be able to return.

In the Nerazzurri’s group stage match against Viktoria Plzen during the fall, the midfielder picked up a similar injury, and two weeks was indeed the amount of time that it took for him to get back on the pitch.

Following Calhanoglu’s return from that injury, he has not had any significant injury issues over the remainder of the campaign, a potentially good sign for Inter.

The 29-year-old has made a total of 37 appearances for the Nerazzurri across all competitions over the season so far.