Striker Marko Arnautovic is targeting a return from injury for Inter Milan in the second of the team’s two Champions League clashes with Red Bull Salzburg.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
Inter had been without Arnautovic for a few matches going into the international break, after the striker picked up a thigh problem.
The 34-year-old had come on as a substitute in the Nerazzurri’s Serie A match away to Empoli last month. However, he was unable to see out the match after pulling up with a thigh injury.
Indications after the match were that Arnautovic would be out for weeks, and likely months, recovering from the injury.
The former West Ham United and Stoke City striker had suffered a thigh strain.
The club confirmed that medical staff had determined it was a “medium-grade” muscle strain.
The typical timeline for recovery from an injury of this nature would typically see the player out of training altogether for at least a few weeks. And then, there would need to be caution about not rushing back to the pitch.
Marko Arnautovic Aiming To Return For Inter In Away Clash Vs Red Bull Salzburg
Initially, reports named Inter’s Serie A match against Juventus as a probable return date for Arnautovic.
The Nerazzurri face the Bianconeri in their first match back from the November international break.
Therefore, it has looked as though Arnautovic would miss all of the matches between the October and November breaks. Then, he could be back at the end of next month.
However, the progress of the Austrian’s recovery has suggested that he can return even earlier.
Tuttosport report that Arnautovic should likely be able to return sometime between the current international break and the next one.
As far as the first few matches after the break, the striker will still be out.
That means that Arnautovic is likely to miss Serie A matches against Torino, Roma, and Atalanta.
He will also be out for the first of two Champions League group stage matches against Salzburg, at the San Siro.
But Inter face the Austrian champions a second time, away, on November 8. And according to Tuttosport, that is now that date that Arnautovic is circling on his calendar for a return.
