Inter confirm John Stones could miss a month with thigh injury

Inter defender John Stones is expected to be out for around a month after suffering a muscle strain in his left thigh, according to Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset.

Stones was injured during Inter’s 5-3 victory over Udinese in the fourth round of the Italian league season. He was replaced in the 62nd minute by Benjamin Pavard.

Inter said medical tests had confirmed the England international had sustained the injury and that his condition would be assessed over the coming days.

Sport Mediaset reports that the 32-year-old is likely to be sidelined for approximately four weeks, although Inter have not given a definitive recovery timeline.

Stones joined Inter as a free agent during the summer transfer window after his contract with Manchester City expired. The defender is 32 years old.

Inter’s victory over Udinese saw them score five goals in a match in which their opponents found the net three times. The result kept Inter in the pursuit of Roma at the top of the Italian league table.

Both Inter and Roma have won all four of their matches and sit on 12 points. Udinese remain on four points in 13th place.