Sports fitness expert Matteo Vitali expects Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic to be out at least three weeks before he can even start training on the pitch again.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews, Vitali predicted the timeline for the Austrian’s recovery process based on the type of his injury.
Arnautovic picked up a thigh injury during Sunday afternoon’s Serie A match against Empoli.
The Austrian came on during the second half of the match as a substitute. However, he did not even last twenty minutes, as he suffered a strain in his left thigh.
It was obvious from the way that Arnautovic pulled up in discomfort that something was wrong for the striker.
And medical tests today confirmed the exact nature of the problem. The former Bologna, West Ham United, and Stoke City striker had suffered a strain to the biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh.
Arnautovic suffered a “medium-grade” muscle strain.
Sports Fitness Expert Reveals Recovery Timeline For Marko Arnautovic
Now, the biggest question is when Arnautovic will be able to return for Inter.
The Nerazzurri will be forced to cope without one of their four senior forwards for some time.
By all indications it will be a matter of weeks, or even months.
Reportedly, the target in mind could end up being the Serie A match against Juventus at the end of November. That match comes after the November international break, on the 26th of the month.
In any event, the factor that ultimately determines how long Arnautovic will have to spend recovering is the nature of injury.
And sports fitness expert Vitali believes that the type of injury the 34-year-old gives a major clue.
He stated that “A medium-grade injury means never less than three weeks of therapy and rest.”
“Then, there will certainly be medical tests scheduled to determine the rate of healing.”
“And then there will be a a gradual return to sporting activities,” he added. “To avoid any minor or serious relapses.”