Sneijder suffers groin strain

Inter Milan have confirmed Wesley Sneijder suffered a groin strain during their Champions League round-of-16 exit against Marseille.

Netherlands international Sneijder was replaced in the second half of Inter’s 2-1 victory at San Siro on Tuesday, as the Serie A side bowed out on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

A club statement has since announced Inter were forced into making the change, with Sneijder picking up a groin strain.

“A rectus femoris strain in his right thigh – that was the diagnosis following tests carried out on Wesley Sneijder by the Inter medical staff,” the statement said.

“The Dutchman was forced to withdraw from Tuesday’s Champions League match against Marseille in the 60th minute.”

It is not known how long Sneijder is expected to be sidelined, but the debut of Fredy Guarin appears to be edging closer after the January signing took part in training on Thursday.

Colombian Guarin, himself returning from injury, managed to complete the 60-minute session, as attempts to put himself in contention for Sunday’s encounter with Atalanta in Serie A.