Defender Chris Smalling could be back from injury for Roma in this weekend’s Serie A match against Inter Milan.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The newspaper also anticipate that midfielder Renato Sanches will be back.

One player who has been a big miss for Roma this season has been Smalling.

The Englishman has been out for much of the campaign, having picked up a tendon problem in September.

Considering Smalling had been Roma’s outstanding defender last season – and one of the best in all of Serie A – it is not a surprise that the capital club’s defense has struggled at times in his absence.

Particularly considering there had also been other absences in defense at various stages, the Giallorossi’s back three has looked a little slapdash on occasions.

Chris Smalling Could Be Back For Roma Vs Inter

The fact that Smalling’s injury has been somewhat nebulous has been an additional problem for Roma.

It has never been exactly clear when the 34-year-old would return from his tendon problems.

But according to the Corriere, a return is now right on the horizon for Smalling.

The former Manchester United man could be in the squad for Saturday’s match against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico.

And if note then, Smalling should be in the squad for the Europa League match against Feyenoord next week.

Meanwhile, Portuguese international Renato Sanches will also be back in the Roma squad on Saturday.

The PSG-owned midfielder, formerly of Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Swansea City, has had some injury troubles this season.

And a premature end to Sanches’s loan spell last month did not materialize as expected.

The 26-year-old should be in any event available against Inter.

Lastly, the Corriere anticipates, minor injuries to Lorenzo Pellegrini, Angelino, and Diego Llorente should not keep them out of the squad for Saturday’s match.