Inter head into the weekend in strong shape, sitting second in Serie A with 13 points from five games, level with Roma and Lazio at the top. The international break has done the club genuine good, with several key players returning to fitness and the squad looking sharper heading into a demanding run of fixtures.

The most significant boost has been the return of Djed Spence, who made his long-awaited Inter debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Lumezzane on October 3, having missed the early weeks of the season through injury. Federico Dimarco also came through that match, giving Cristian Chivu more options on the left. The picture is not entirely clear, though, with Hakan Calhanoglu and John Stones still unavailable for Saturday's home match against Parma.

Calhanoglu's situation carries a longer shadow. His contract expires in June 2027 and no renewal has been signed, raising the possibility that Inter could lose their midfield anchor for nothing, just as they once signed him on a free from Milan. The club's reported interest in Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano points to contingency planning already under way.

Against Parma, Chivu faces genuine selection decisions. Ivan Provedel is set to start in goal ahead of Josep Martinez, while Ange-Yoan Bonny is pushing hard for a place in attack alongside the certain starter Marcus Thuram. Lautaro Martinez could be rested with a busy schedule ahead.