The season may well already be over for Stephan El Shaarawy, who has been diagnosed with a tear in his right thigh, adding to the lengthy list of Roma absentees against Inter.
The ‘Little Pharaoh’ not only started last night’s 1-1 draw with Monza, he also scored the opening goal, which was cancelled out by Luca Caldirola’s volley.
He then limped off in the second half and it’s reported the diagnosis today is a lesion to the flexor in the right thigh muscle.
If confirmed, this will keep El Shaarawy on the treatment table for several weeks and it could be an early end to his season.
It is another devastating blow for Roma, who are decimated going into this weekend’s Serie A showdown with Inter.
Zeki Celik is suspended after he received a second yellow card against Monza, though at least Nemanja Matic returns after sitting out a ban in that midweek round.
Also absent are injured Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente, Gini Wijnaldum and El Shaarawy.
It remains to be seen whether Paulo Dybala and Andrea Belotti can recover to at least have a spot on the bench, but La Joya is still struggling with a sprained ankle and last night Mourinho said the striker had ‘no chance’ of playing.