Palacio injury blow for Inter

Inter Milan's bid for a top three finish in Italy's Serie A has suffered a blow after top scorer Rodrigo Palacio suffered a thigh injury in training on Thursday.

Argentine international Palacio scored a brace on Wednesday as Inter claimed a precious 2-0 win away to Sampdoria in a fixture that had been postponed from March 17.

The Nerazzurri host Atalanta on Sunday but Palacio looks likely to play no part after he hobbled out of training clutching the back of his left thigh earlier on Thursday.

Palacio went immediately for scans and Inter later confirmed: "Rodrigo Palacio underwent scans which showed a muscular problem in the posterior region of the left thigh."

Reports in Italy are already speculating that Palacio, who with 12 goals is Inter's top scorer this season in the absence of already-injured compatriot Diego Milito, could miss several of his side's remaining eight games.

Inter currently sit in fifth place, 18 points behind champions and leaders Juventus and seven points adrift of city rivals Milan, who occupy the third and last possible qualifying spot for next season's Champions League.