Rome  - Inter Milan on Sunday were awaiting the return of striker driano, who has remained in Brazil after being in the squad for two 2010 World Cup qualifiers over the past week.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Adriano, 26, could return to Italy Monday or Tuesday. He failed to board a scheduled flight for Italy on Friday and did not communicate his decision to his agent and Inter.

Adriano has suffered from alcohol problems and depression over the past two years. Brazil coach Dunga kept him on the bench in games played against Ecuador on March 28 and Peru on Wednesday, but Inter coach Jose Mourinho didn't want to dwell on his personal problems.

"I think we shouldn't talk too much about this," Inter coach Jose Mourinho said. "Everyone has understood that it's not an easy situation ... The only thing to do, on my side, with sadness and without bitterness or criticism, is saying nothing.

"We'll see how all this will end for him. In this moment I think more about the person than about the footballer." dpa