It's up to Icardi to resolve problems – Martinez

Inter forward Lautaro Martinez was asked about Mauro Icardi, who has not played for the club since losing the captaincy last month.

Mauro Icardi lost the Inter captaincy last month.

Lautaro Martinez said it is up to Inter team-mate Mauro Icardi to resolve his problems amid the former captain's continued absence.

Icardi hit out at Inter's treatment of him in an explosive social media post after he was stripped of the captaincy last month.

READ | Cagliari 2 Inter 1: Icardi still absent as Nerazzurri drop points again

The 26-year-old star has not played for Inter since he lost the captain's armband to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Icardi missed Friday's 2-1 Serie A defeat away to Cagliari and fellow Argentinian Martinez – who had equalised for Inter – told Sky Sport Itali a: "Mauro is very important for us, but we can't do anything about it.

"It's up to him to resolve his problems. All we can do is wait and try to win."

Icardi – who is contracted to Inter until 2021 – has been linked with Italian champion Juventus, Napoli, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.

With Icardi absent against Cagliari, Inter head coach Luciano Spalletti introduced centre-back Andrea Ranocchia as a striker with the visitors chasing a late equaliser.

Asked if Ranocchia's introduction up front highlighted a lack of options, Spalletti appeared to take aim at Icardi.

"I can say the same things again, as if there's a way of helping Inter and showing how much you care about Inter, then you should be on the field," said Spalletti, whose Inter could lose third spot to city rival AC Milan on Saturday.