Sneijder back to take Inter forward

Wesley Sneijder will do everything he can to be fit for FC Internazionale Milano's Group F decider against Russian titleholders FC Rubin Kazan and the Nerazzurri are counting on the Dutch international to help guide them through to the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.

Creativity missed
Sneijder's creativity has been missed since he injured his thigh in a 1-1 draw with AS Roma four weeks ago. His guile and nous in behind the front two could be key if Inter are to unlock the Rubin defence and seal their place in the knockout phase. The Nerazzurri claimed their first UEFA Champions League victory in nine attempts when they beat FC Dynamo Kyiv 2-1 on Matchday 4 and the feeling persists that José Mourinho's side, while dominant in Italy, are vulnerable against the continent's top sides. While victory will take Inter through, should they drop points they could face an early exit.

High stakes
A 0-0 or 1-1 draw would still be good enough, but only if Dynamo do not win at home to Barcelona in the night's other match in the section. With so much at stake, Mourinho will not hesitate to throw his summer signing from Real Madrid CF in at the deep end should, as expected, he be given the all clear. Sneijder set up Diego Milito for the equaliser against Dynamo before scoring the late winner and his return will provide a timely boost. The 25-year-old, though, sought to distance himself from talk of his own importance. "I feel good, but I want to remind everyone that Inter also won when I wasn't playing," he said. "I want to give my colleagues the credit they deserve."

'Tough game'
The Nerazzurri are top of Serie A, four points ahead of rivals AC Milan, but all is not perfect in the Nerazzurri camp. They lost 2-1 at Juventus on Saturday, their second defeat in three games, with Mourinho sent to the stands at the Stadio Olimpico. The Portuguese coach, however, will have been lifted by the sight of Sneijder returning to full training on Sunday. "I feel better now, I'm here talking with the press so it means I'm likely to play," said the former AFC Ajax midfielder, an instant favourite at Inter after helping them to a 4-0 victory over rivals AC Milan in August on his Nerazzuri debut. "It would be strange to be sitting here knowing for certain I wasn't going to play. This game is really important for us and we have to win regardless of whether I play or not. This is going to be a really tough game against a team we mustn't underestimate."