Massimiliano Allegri believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic will stay at Milan, as he pays tribute to Pippo Inzaghi and agrees with Rino Gattuso on respec

Thiago Silva has reflected on the challenge of replacing Alessandro Nesta’s leadership in the Milan defence.

Nesta announced on Thursday that he will be leaving the Rossoneri at the end of the season.

Thiago Silva is set to miss Milan’s derby with Inter this weekend as he reportedly struggles to return to full training.

The Brazilian centre-back has been out of action since late-March after suffering a thigh strain in the pre-match warm-up against Roma, which was then seemingly aggravated by his Coach’s decision to then start him.

Thiago Silva could return to the Milan side for this weekend’s game at Siena following a spell on the sidelines.

The Brazilian hasn’t played since picking up an injury in the 2-1 win over Roma on March 23 at San Siro.

The centre-back took part in training on Thursday and is a contender to be selected for Sunday afternoon’s tie in Tuscany.

Massimiliano Allegri is remarkably close to having a fully fit Milan squad to work with for the remaining weeks of the season.

Kevin Prince Boateng, Thiago Silva and Massimo Ambrosini all trained with the main group in Monday’s session, meaning that apart from the injured Alexandre Pato and suspended Daniele Bonera, the Rossoneri have almost everyone available for their midweek fixture with Genoa.

Milan have made it clear that they would not consider an offer from Barcelona for key defender Thiago Silva.

The Brazilian international has been paired with the European champions with some consistency over the last 24 months.

However, speaking ahead of tonight’s clash at San Siro, Vice-President Adriano Galliani has insisted the currently injured stopper is going nowhere.

Milan insist that they have no regrets about Thiago Silva’s injury as Alexandre Pato flies out to America to see a specialist.

The defender could be out of action for the next month after he picked up an injury in the game against Roma – a match he started despite not being 100 per cent fit.

Terrible news for Milan, as Thiago Silva’s thigh strain will keep him out for “three to four weeks, save for complications.”

The defender had already been in doubt before Saturday’s game with Roma, but passed a fitness test to start.

He lasted only 10 minutes and limped off with what has now officially been diagnosed as a muscular lesion to the right thigh.

“The prognosis is three to four weeks, save for complications.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is concerned that Milan have “too many injuries” after Thiago Silva was ruled out of the Barcelona match.