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Inter get Spence back: defender returns to full training, could make squad for Udinese clash

The English full-back is finally available again to Cristian Chivu.

It has now been almost a month since English full-back Djed Spence arrived in Milan from London. The wide defender joined Inter after the Nerazzurri endured a difficult hunt for reinforcements on the flank, first with the failed Palestra move and then with the stoppage of Khalaili's medical. However, the physical issue he carried from the World Cup prevented him from being immediately at Cristian Chivu’s disposal for Inter’s opening four matches in Serie A and the Champions League.

Now, though, encouraging news have arrived from Appiano Gentile: could he already be named in the squad for the game against Udinese?

How Spence is progressing

Spence reached Milan on 15 August 2026 after Inter paid around €35 million, including bonuses, to sign him from Tottenham. The former Genoa full-back had suffered a muscular problem during the World Cup, where he played a key role for England as they finished third across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Because of that issue, he spent his first few days at Appiano Gentile undergoing treatment.

In the last two weeks, he had been working only on his own and in the gym as he tried to complete a conditioning programme that had not even begun during the summer.

Back with the group

The update everyone had been waiting for arrived today from Pinetina. According to Sportmediaset, Spence trained on the pitch with the group and the rest of the squad for the first time. It is a major step forward in his integration, with only four days left before Inter welcome Udinese to San Siro in the match that will close the fourth round of the league season.

Could he already be called up?

At the moment, it remains difficult to imagine Spence being fully ready in time to face Juventus. If he is included in the squad, it would mainly be to keep him close to the team ahead of the first long international break. The English defender now needs to gradually raise his workload and, effectively, use that break to complete the pre-season work he could not finish because of the injury.

That is why it also seems unlikely that the former Tottenham player will be counted among the options for the match scheduled for Saturday, 19 September, at the Olimpico against Roma, the second real big match of the season. Focus therefore shifts to the fifth league fixture after the international break, when Inter will host Parma at San Siro on 10 October.