Inter Injury Crisis: Stones Doubt for Roma Clash

Stones Worry for Inter After First Start Ends Early

Inter have a fresh injury concern ahead of their top-of-the-table Serie A clash with Roma this Saturday, after John Stones pulled up during his first start of the season. The former Manchester City defender lined up alongside his old teammate Manuel Akanji in Sunday evening's San Siro encounter with Udinese, but his night lasted only 62 minutes.

According to reports, Stones was chasing down fellow Englishman Keinan Davis when he suddenly pulled up and signalled to the bench that he needed to come off. The extent of the damage now remains to be seen, but it is a worry for Inter considering they have a head-to-head battle with fellow league leaders Roma coming up on Saturday night.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu confirmed to DAZN Italia that Stones "felt something in his flexor." That phrasing suggests a muscular problem rather than a contact injury, which is rarely good news for a player with Stones' history.

A Familiar Concern for a Defender With a Long Injury Record

Stones is only 32 years old, but his injury record is one of the main reasons that Manchester City decided not to extend his contract when it ran down on June 30. He was allowed to come to Italy as a free agent, so far making four appearances for the Nerazzurri between Serie A and the Champions League.

This was his first from the start, and it ended prematurely. For a player whose body has repeatedly betrayed him at key moments, the sight of him pulling up while chasing a forward will be a deeply frustrating one for Inter's medical staff and supporters alike. The club will now assess the damage before deciding whether he can be involved against Roma.

Inter's defensive options are not unlimited, and losing a defender of Stones' experience on the eve of a Scudetto showdown would be a significant blow. The Nerazzurri have leaned on their squad depth in recent seasons, but a fixture of this magnitude demands the best available personnel. For more context on how the title race is shaping up, see our Serie A predictions.

Calhanoglu Absent as Midfield Concerns Grow

Inter have other problems to deal with, as Hakan Calhanoglu was not even on the bench this evening due to an adductor issue he sustained during the defeat to Real Madrid. The Turkish midfielder's absence robs Inter of their primary set-piece taker and deep-lying playmaker, a role that is central to how Chivu's side build from the back.

Adductor injuries are notoriously tricky. They can settle quickly with rest, or they can linger for weeks depending on the grade of the strain. Inter will be desperate for a swift resolution given the calibre of the opposition awaiting them at the weekend.

Mixed News on the Return Front

There was at least one positive note for Inter. Federico Dimarco made his return off the bench tonight, having missed the Bernabeu trip with a knee problem. The Italian wing-back's reintroduction gives Chivu a valuable option on the left flank, particularly if he needs to reshuffle his defensive setup in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Djed Spence is still waiting to be part of the matchday squad after arriving from Tottenham Hotspur with an injury. The English full-back's integration has been delayed, and there is no clear timeline from the source material on when he might be available.

• John Stones — flexor issue, doubt for Roma
• Hakan Calhanoglu — adductor problem, missed Udinese entirely
• Federico Dimarco — returned off the bench after knee problem
• Djed Spence — still awaiting first matchday squad inclusion

What It Means for the Roma Showdown

Saturday night's meeting with Roma is already being framed as a pivotal moment in the early-season title race, with both sides at the top of the table. Inter's preparation, however, is now clouded by fitness doubts in defence and midfield.

If Stones is ruled out, Chivu will need to reconfigure his back line, potentially leaning on Akanji's familiarity with his former City teammate's role. If Calhanoglu also misses out, the creative burden shifts elsewhere, and Inter's ability to control the tempo against a strong Roma side could be compromised.

Injury news of this kind can swing the momentum of a title race, and bettors will be watching the club's official updates closely before committing to any markets. Our today's AI betting tips will factor in the latest availability reports as the week progresses.

For now, Inter can only wait and hope that Stones' flexor problem is minor and that Calhanoglu's adductor settles in time. The next few days of training and medical assessments will determine whether the Nerazzurri go into the weekend at full strength or scrambling for solutions. Keep an eye on our latest football news section for further updates as they emerge.