Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic could return before the November break, but will only be at his best after the break.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who update on the 34-year-old’s recovery from a thigh injury.
Arnautovic has been out for more than a month with a thigh strain that he picked up in September.
The Austrian had suffered the injury during a Serie A win away to Empoli.
Arnautovic had come onto the pitch as a substitute during the second half. However, he pulled up and immediately indicated that he had felt significant pain in his thigh.
Subsequent tests revealed a “medium-grade” strain to the striker’s thigh.
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 To Return To Full Fitness After November International Break
The initial timeline suggested that Arnautovic would not be able to return to the pitch until after the November international break.
The Serie A match against Juventus later next month was the fixture that the Austrian will have been circling on his calendar.
However, it now looks as though it won’t be quite that long. Arnautovic should be able to get back on the pitch in the next couple weeks.
However, that does not mean that the former West Ham United and Stoke City striker will necessarily be at his best.
On the contrary, there will still be a period where the Inter striker will have to re-find his form and match-fitness.
Therefore, in the matches before the November break, Arnautovic will only be ready to play a bit-part role.
However, the Austrian should be able to return from the break at something like his best.
Therefore, Inter will be able to rely on Arnautovic in the matches after the break.
Apart from league matches against Juventus and Napoli, there are also two Champions League group stage matches.
Inter take on Benfica away, and Real Sociedad at the San Siro. And Arnautovic should be ready to play a significant role, potentially even starting in those matches.
