Inter Milan vs Napoli - Roberto Mancini plans for the future at Inter despite low-key campaign

Roberto Mancini is looking forward to many years of team building at Inter Milan as the Nerazzurri resume their push for a Champions League return.

Saturday's visit of Serie A title challengers Napoli offers Inter the chance to close to within three points of third-placed Roma with victory at San Siro.

Despite another low-key campaign which has lacked European football, Mancini expects to remain in charge for another season at least and the former Manchester City boss is keen to work alongside Inter president Erick Thohir on strengthening the team's spine.

Speaking to inter.it before Napoli's arrival in Milan, Mancini said: "I believe the aim of the president, just like me and everyone else, is to improve the team on a yearly basis. I don't think there's any urgency on that.

"The team is beginning to take shape with a spine for the present and future. What matters is having first-team regulars."

Inter's backline - the third meanest in the top flight behind those of Juventus and Napoli - will enjoy a slightly easier night as the southerners' 30-goal striker Gonzalo Higuain is suspended following his temper tantrum at Udinese.

But Mancini sounded a note of caution about Napoli's alternative striking options, who hit Hellas Verona for three unanswered goals last weekend.

He said: "Napoli are a strong team and they've been having a great season, even when they've missed Higuain.

"I've enjoyed watching (Manolo) Gabbiadini since he was with Atalanta and (Dries) Mertens is a player I know very well. We will definitely be careful.

"I hope it will be a beautiful game between two great teams who will have a lot of talented players on the pitch."

Rodrigo Palacio, Eder, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Adem Ljajic will face late fitness tests before Saturday's clash while Higuain represents Napoli's only senior absentee. The four-match ban handed to the Argentinian was this week reduced to three matches on appeal and he will return at Roma.

Azzurri owner Aurelio De Laurentiis hopes he does not have to sell the league's top scorer in the summer.

"I have not received any offers for Higuain," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "If they arrive I will evaluate them and there is the issue of the release clause.

"Obviously we will be competing in the Champions League so it's very important that we retain players of Higuain's calibre."

Napoli have not beaten Inter at San Siro since October 2011, when they ran out 3-0 winners against a Nerazzurri side coached by Claudio Ranieri.