Inter Milan defender Davide Santon will undergo knee surgery that could keep him out of action for up to a month.

The 18-year-old picked up the injury to his right knee while playing for Italy Under-21s against Luxembourg and faces corrective surgery that will keep him on the sidelines for up to four weeks.

Santon's absence is a blow to Jose Mourinho who leads his charges against Bologna this Sunday when Serie A resumes after the international break.

Inter have a five-point buffer over Juventus in Serie A but face a tricky Champions League game against Barcelona at the Camp Nou next week where qualification for the knockout stages could be decided.

Inter medical staff are confident that Santon will be back playing in December following the operation and subsequent intense physiotherapy - roughly the same time that Nerazzurri team-mate Esteban Cambiasso was missing with the same complaint in August.