Nicolo Zaniolo faces three to four weeks out after sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty with Italy.

Udinese confirmed the diagnosis in a statement on their official website : “During his commitment with the Italian national team, Nicolo Zaniolo sustained a lesion to the biceps femoris of his right thigh. The player has begun the rehabilitation process in Udine and will be available within three to four weeks.”

According to Sportal , the outcome is worse than initially hoped. Zaniolo left Roberto Mancini’s camp earlier in the break with a muscular problem, and there had been optimism it might prove a simple strain allowing a quicker recovery. However, tests have ruled that out.

The timing is unkind as Zaniolo had only recently worked his way back into Mancini’s plans, with the coach who handed him his first call-up in 2018 rating him highly, and Andrea Stramaccioni had named him among those capable of dragging Italy out of their current difficulties.

He remains on 19 caps, his last coming on 24 March 2024 in a 2-0 friendly win over Ecuador in Harrison, New Jersey. A 20th will have to wait.