Inter left-back Cristian Chivu is in hospital after fracturing his skull in a clash of heads during yesterday's 1-0 Serie A win at Chievo. The Romanian's life is not in danger but he will have to stay under observation for some time.

"He is in hospital, he has a fractured skull and we hope he can come back as soon as possible but I think he will be out of action for a while," Inter coach Jose Mourinho told Inter's TV channel yesterday.

The loss of Chivu is a blow to the Serie A leaders, who have no like-for-like replacement. Inter's right-footed full-back Davide Santon is also injured.

Media reports said Inter were chasing Lazio left-back Aleksandar Kolarov even before Chivu's injury but Lazio president Claudio Lotito has said the Serb is not for sale.

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