Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic could make a return from injury sooner than expected.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Austrian could be back for the Serie A match at the start of November rather than later in the month as expected.
Inter have been without Arnautovic for a few matches 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.
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.
But according to La Repubblica, that timeline could change.
The newspaper report that Arnautovic could be back closer to the start of November.
The Austrian will still miss out on some matches after the October break.
He will not be fit for Serie A clashes with Torino and Roma, or for the first of two Champions League group stage clashes with Red Bull Salzburg.
However, La Repubblica anticipate, Arnautovic could well be circling the Serie A match against Atalanta on his calendar.
The Nerazzurri face La Dea on November 4. And they could have an attacking reinforcement in the form of a returning Arnautovic.