Inter Milan medical chief Piero Volpi says Alexis Sanchez's injury recovery is ahead of schedule.

The on-loan Manchester United striker suffered an ankle injury last month while away with Chile.

"We worked well with Alexis Sanchez and that particular injury requires some careful monitoring, but it has been going pretty favourably, all things considered," Inter chief medic Professor Volpi told La Cuarta.

“The schedule for recovery we worked out at Inter has been fully respected. He is still expected to return in mid-January, but we'll see. Alexis could even be back a little bit ahead of schedule, if all goes well.

“We will have a better idea of the situation after the Christmas break. He hasn't yet started working with the ball at his feet, but hopefully we should have developments on that front over the next few days."