The Uruguayan, who missed 10 weeks from October with an injured hamstring, was on his way back to fitness, having made four league starts since December, but has suffered another setback with a suspected injured thigh.

Claudio Ranieri's men moved to within six points of leaders Juventus with a crucial 1-0 win over rivals AC Milan last Sunday and will displace Lazio in fourth if they take all three points at the San Siro.

Inter's purple patch has seen them take all 18 points from their past six starts in the league, where they have scored 14 and conceded only one goal, a run that has catapulted them up to fifth in the table from as low as 16th on December 4.

In more good news for Inter this week, Brazilian defender Thiago Silva was named in UEFA's Team of the Year for 2011, the only Serie A representative in the side.

AC Milan, who complained of Inter's defensive tactics in their derby win, bounced back from the loss with a 2-1 extra time win over Novara in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday.

Alexandre Pato, the player Milan were prepared to part ways with during the week in order to lure Carlos Tevez to the club, responded with the decisive goal nine minutes into extra time.

However in the league, Milan are now a point behind new leaders Juventus and travel to face Novara again, without versatile midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng after he suffered a thigh strain against Inter.

Juventus travel to Atalanta on Saturday on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with mid-table Cagliari last start, a result that gave hope to the other sides still in the hunt for the title.

Udinese have the chance to challenge Juventus and AC Milan as they host Catania on Sunday. The third-placed club dropped three points behind the leaders after their 3-2 loss away to Genoa last Sunday.

Roma's Daniele De Rossi is a doubt for their match with Cesena on Saturday as he struggles to shake off a muscle injury.

Bologna host Parma at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in the other game on Saturday.

Siena president Massimo Mezzaroma has warned the club's lowly position does not guarantee Napoli the three points when they visit on Sunday. Siena have won just one of their past nine matches.

In other games on Sunday, Cagliari host Fiorentina in a mid-table battle, struggling Lecce entertain Chievo and Palermo tackle Genoa.