Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper is under mounting pressure because of his team's faltering Serie A title bid. Cuper was labelled a "nearly man" after his Valencia side lost the 2000 and 2001 Champions League finals and Inter squandered a chance to win the Italian title on the final day of last season.

With the Valencia game followed by the Milan derby on Saturday, Inter's season and Cuper's future may depend on two positive results.

Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba missed training on Monday, but Marco Materazzi returns to the heart of the defence alongside Fabio Cannavaro with Ivan Cordoba likely to switch to left back.

Hernan Crespo, who has scored nine goals in eight Champions League appearances this season but is just returning to fitness, is likely to start from the bench should Recoba recover.

For Valencia, full back Curro Torres and Argentine winger Kily Gonzalez are on the long-term injury list, while Mauricio Pellegrino's suspension means Carlos Marchena will partner Roberto Ayala in central defence.

Valencia Coach Rafa Benitez welcomes back midfielder Ruben Baraja from suspension.

That is likely to mean Norwegian striker John Carewplaying as a lone striker ahead of a five-man midfield led by Pablo Aimar.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

INTER MILAN: Toldo; Javier Zanetti, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Cordoba; Okan (or Conceicao), Cristiano Zanetti, Di Biagio, Emre; Vieri, Recoba

VALENCIA: Canizares; Reveillere, Ayala, Marchena, Carboni; Rufete, Albelda, Baraja, Aimar, Vicente; Carew.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)