Chivu and Coutinho out of Inter reckoning

FC Internazionale Milano left-back Cristian Chivu and midfielder Coutinho will miss next Wednesday's UEFA Champions League game against FC Twente after being diagnosed with groin and thigh strains respectively.

The 30-year-old Chivu, who joined the Nerazzurri in 2007 from Serie A rivals AS Roma, suffered his injury during Romania's 1-1 midweek friendly draw with Italy in Klagenfurt, Austria. The former AFC Ajax defender underwent tests on Thursday that revealed the extent of the problem.

Coutinho was dealt his setback after colliding with a team-mate in training on Friday with the club later confirming a scan showed a strain to the back part of the 18-year-old's right thigh.

Chivu is likely to be out for two weeks, meaning he will sit out next week's San Siro meeting with Dutch champions Twente but could return for the Matchday 6 fixture at SV Werder Bremen, with Coutinho missing for at least three weeks. The absences are a blow for coach Rafael Benítez, who is already without Maicon and Walter Samuel. Inter are second in Group A, level on points with leaders Tottenham Hotspur FC, and sit fifth in Serie A.