Inter's Calhanoglu set to miss top-of-the-table clash with thigh injury

  • Inter are likely to be without Hakan Calhanoglu when they face Roma on Saturday, in a meeting of two sides with perfect records in Serie A.

Hakan Calhanoglu looks set to miss Inter's top-of-the-table Serie A clash with Roma on Saturday after suffering an adductor injury.

An issue in Calhanoglu's right thigh caused him to sit out Monday's topsy-turvy 5-3 victory over Udinese, which left Inter with one of two perfect records in Serie A this season.

Calhanoglu started and scored in Inter's opening two games of the campaign, versus Monza and Cagliari, before coming off the bench in a comeback win over Napoli and returning to Cristian Chivu's lineup for a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

And in a medical update released on Tuesday, the Nerazzurri said: "Hakan Calhanoglu underwent medical examinations this morning at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Rozzano.

"The tests revealed an adductor muscle strain in his right thigh. His condition will be evaluated in the coming days."

Widespread reports in Italy said Calhanoglu's injury will rule him out of Saturday's visit to Roma, who currently lead the way in Serie A on goal difference.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side beat Torino 2-0 on Monday, and they have only conceded once in their four matches so far, while finding the net 12 times.

Saturday's game at the Stadio Olimpico will be the first to see the top two teams in Serie A face one another, both with perfect records after at least four matchdays, since October 2014, when Juventus beat Roma 3-2. 

Saturday's game will be the last for Inter and Roma prior to the international break, when Turkiye will face France, Italy (twice) and Belgium in the Nations League, with the Turkish Football Federation yet to offer any update on Calhanoglu's involvement.