Inter midfielder Roberto Gagliardini is in line to step in for the suspended Nicolo Barella against Cagliari in Serie A tomorrow, but could face competition from Matias Vecino.

Barella picked up a booking in Inter’s 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Wednesday and will now serve a one-match ban, ruling him out of a reunion with his former club and leaving a gap in midfield.

As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere dello Sport, Gagliardini is the favourite to partner Marcelo Brozovic and Christian Eriksen tomorrow, but could miss out to Vecino.

The Uruguay international would bring greater dynamism to the role and it is felt that he would operate better with right wing-back Achraf Hakimi. However, a long-term injury has reduced his playing time to just 22 minutes this season, of which 20 came in mid-week, and this may be taken into consideration.

Lautaro Martinez remains in pole position to retain his place in attack alongside Romelu Lukaku, but coach Antonio Conte may be tempted to give Alexis Sanchez an opportunity in his place.