Mancini hints signings for Inter in Jan
ROME: Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini hinted Sunday that he is looking to build during the January transfer window.
Despite topping Serie A by seven points and cruising through their Champions League qualification group, Inter have been badly affected by injuries this season.
At the start of the campaign it was to their defense, but then the curse hit their midfield and Patrick Vieira, Olivier Dacourt and Luis Figo are all sidelined, while Dejan Stankovic is also struggling for fitness.
Inter face a race against time to get any of them back for the resumption of the Champions League in February.
"They're all working hard to be ready as soon as possible," Mancini told the club's official website from Inter's Dubai training camp.
He said the absence of Vieira was a particular blow.
"He is missed because he's a player with great international experience. I hope for him that he won't have any more problems, I hope he can put a run of games together."
However, if those players do not regain fitness soon, Mancini admitted he may be tempted to dip into the winter market.
"We haven't decided anything yet, we'll probably do something," he added.
"But firstly we want to analyze the condition of our injured players and be sure about when they'll be available again."
AFP
(China Daily 01/08/2008 page22)
