Internazionale have confirmed that Patrick Vieira is unlikely to play again this year, ruling the France midfielder out of the remainder of the Champions League group stage as well as the climax of France’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
The 31-year-old tore a muscle in his right calf at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday and was substituted 17 minutes into the 2-1 victory which lifted Inter a point clear at the top of Group G.
Scans have confirmed the extent of the injury, and Inter medical staff estimate Vieira will be out for around two months.
The former Juventus man has endured an injury-plagued campaign, playing just four competitive matches this season.