Milito sustained the injury in his side's 5-3 Serie A win over AS Roma on the weekend, when he was replaced in the 70th minute.

Inter now face the prospect of a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on March 15 with only two available strikers, Samuel Eto'o and Goran Pandev, as newly-signed forward Giampaolo Pazzini is not eligible.

Inter coach Leonardo nevertheless had some comforting words for Milito.

"Diego mustn't worry about what has happened. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone; he knows how important he is for Inter. All he has to do is relax and concentrate on making a good recovery," Leonardo said.

Last season Milito, 31, scored a goal that sealed the Italian league on the last day of the season and netted both goals as Inter beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.