Inter skipper Martinez suffers calf injury

ROME: Inter Milan will be without captain and top scorer Lautaro Martinez for Sunday’s Serie A match against Como, the Italian league leaders said.

“Medical tests today (Friday) revealed a mild muscle strain in his left calf,” Inter said in a statement, adding that the striker’s “condition will be reassessed in the coming days”.

Italian media reports suggested the 28-year-old could return as soon as next week’s game at home against Cagliari.

Inter have a seven-point advantage over resurgent reigning champions Napoli with seven matches remaining in the Serie A season.

Martinez, the league’s top scorer with 16 goals this term, was sidelined for six weeks between February and March with muscular injuries.

On his return last weekend, the Argentinian scored a brace in a 5-2 win over Roma.

In his absence, Inter had a difficult March with two defeats and a draw in three matches to give hope to the chasing pack.

They face a tricky trip to face fourth-placed Como, desperate to not give any further encouragement to Napoli and third-placed AC Milan, who are nine points adrift.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu is expected to partner Marcus Thuram with Pio Esposito up front in Martinez’s absence.