Kovacic a doubt for start of Inter´s season

Inter have confirmed that Mateo Kovacic could miss the start of the season with a thigh strain.

The 19-year-old midfielder moved to Serie A in January and made 17 appearances as Inter struggled in the league under Andrea Stramaccioni.

Despite the poor team displays Kovacic impressed for his new club and much was expected of him ahead of the new campaign.

However, he will face a spell on the sidelines after he was diagnosed with a thigh strain during a pre-season training session on Sunday.

The Croatia international underwent scans on Monday and a statement on the club’s official website confirmed the details of his injury.

“Accompanied by Inter’s chief of medical staff Franco Combi, Mateo Kovacic underwent scans this morning after sustaining an injury yesterday,” the statement read. “The tests confirmed that he has suffered a thigh strain.”

The club did not make the severity of his injury clear but time on the treatment table is going to delay his start to the season under coach Walter Mazzarri.