Inter should get a big boost ahead of the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie against Benfica in the form of a return from injury for midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 29-year-old should be back fit against Monza over the weekend in Serie A, at least for a few minutes as a substitutes.
Calhanoglu has been out for four matches now recovering from a strain to the adductor muscles in his right thigh that was sustained during the international break.
The Turk has missed league matches against Fiorentina and Salernitana as well as a Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Juventus and Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg match away to Benfica.
However, a return is on the horizon for the former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen man, according to the Gazzetta.
Calhanoglu is close to being ready to return to action, and the newspaper reports that he will be part of the squad for this Saturday’s Serie A match against Monza at the San Siro.
The Turk is likely to play no more than a cameo appearance from the bench in the second half of the match, but this could be crucial to getting some playing time in his legs ahead of the second leg against Benfica and the entire run-in of the season.
Having Calhanoglu back will be very significant for Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi, given that the 29-year-old has emerged as a central figure to the team in every sense playing in the deep-lying playmaker role this season.
Calhanoglu has made a total of 37 appearances for Inter across all competitions this season.
Meanwhile, the Gazzetta report that Joaquin Correa and Romelu Lukaku are set to start in attack against Monza, whilst Danilo D’Ambrosio could start in defense.;
