Brazil striker Adriano failed to show up for the first post-holiday training session with Inter Milan on Friday, fuelling speculation that he will be traded during the upcoming mid-season window.
Adriano had a longer break than his teammates due to injury and must undergo tests to determine whether he can rejoin the squad when Serie A play resumes next weekend.
The Brazilian has not been in true form for some time and missed matches earlier this season because of reported disciplinary problems.
He spent most of last season in Brazil to recoup form after admitting to lifestyle problems and struggles with drink and depression.
According to reports in the British press, Inter coach Jose' Mourinho would like to see Adriano traded for England striker Michael Owen, whose contract with Newcastle is set to expire.
However, in an interview published in Friday's edition of the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, Mourinho renewed his confidence in Adriano, whom he referred to as an ''extra weapon,'' and said that Owen had suffered too many injuries and was ''no longer the Owen we knew''.
Owen, 29, won the prestigious Golden Ball award for best player in 2001 while he was with Liverpool. He later transferred to Real Madrid but spent only a year in Spain before returning in 2005 to the Premier League with Newcastle.
