Antonio Conte has revealed that Alexis Sanchez is still not ready to start for Inter Milan almost a month since his season-long loan move from Manchester United.
The Chilean played 10 minutes against another of his former clubs Udinese, but is yet to earn a full debut for the Nerazzurri.
And Conte, who has guided Inter to four successive wins to start the season has played down suggestions of Sanchez featuring from the first whistle against Lazio on Wednesday.
“For him it is worth the words I give for everyone else,” Conte explained.
“When I see ready players, they will be inserted [into the starting line-up]. I have to work in the interest of Inter, not of individuals.”
“Of [Romelu] Lukaku, I have said far and wide what I think, it seems to me superfluous to repeat it again.
“For the midfielders, on the other hand, I am happy. Beyond those who score, the more arrows we have available to our bow, the better.”
Juventus retook the top spot in Serie A on Tuesday, beating Brescia 2-1, with Conte’s side seen as the toughest competition as they bid to claim a ninth successive scudetto.
