Calhanoglu blames fixture schedule after Türkiye injury scare: ‘Not completely ready’

Hakan Calhanoglu warned that he is ‘not completely ready’ after coming off at half-time in the 0-0 draw between Türkiye and Wales in the Nations League on Saturday, as the Inter midfielder prepares for a new round of medical checks to get to the bottom of the issue.

The 30-year-old lined up as a starter against Wales in Türkiye on Saturday night, but did not last past half-time and was substituted off by Vincenzo Montella at the break.

Calhanoglu blames fixture congestion after latest injury scare

Speaking to the press at full-time, Calhanoglu revealed himself that he felt the same discomfort as the injury that kept him out of three matches towards the end of October.

“I felt a tingling sensation, I didn’t want to take any risks,” Calhanoglu said after full-time following his half-time withdrawal.

He continued: “Given the intense fixture schedule, my time for rest was short. It’s only been two weeks since my injury, but the same area hurt again and started to sting. I didn’t want to take any risks, I’m not completely ready.”

Calhanoglu will have an MRI scan at the Türkiye training camp on Sunday to address the extent of the damage. His national team will face Montenegro on Tuesday before the return of domestic football next weekend.

Inter are due to play Hellas Verona in Serie A after the break, before a midweek visit from RB Leipzig in the Champions League and then another tricky test against Fiorentina in the league the following weekend.