The Serbian was unimpressed with his withdrawal in last weekend's defeat by Napoli and reportedly complained afterwards that his boss always replaces the same players
Inter coach Claudio Ranieri has rejected claims that he has dropped Dejan Stankovic from his squad for Sunday night's clash with Catania because of the midfielder's negative reaction to being substituted against Napoli last weekend. Despite suffering with an Achilles tendon problem this week, Stankovic trained with his team-mates on Saturday and had been expected to feature at San Siro.
However, the Serbia international was omitted from the squad, prompting speculation that he had been axed for responding petulantly to his withdrawal at the San Paolo last Sunday and allegedly complaining afterwards that his boss always replaces the same players.
"It's not true," Ranieri insisted. "It is also not true that I always take off the same players.
"Dejan has played so little that can not considered as one who always comes off the pitch before the end.
"I didn't see him doing well in training because of his [Achilles] problems, which is why I preferred him to rest him."
Inter go into the game against Catania seventh in Serie A aiming to end a four-game losing streak in the league.