Cassano has matured into the standout player in Serie A so far this season, helping Samp win their opening four games of a top-flight season for the first time.
The skilful attacker, whose play in the past was undermined by childish antics on and off the field, was equally inspirational last term but Inter decided to sign Wesley Sneijder in the transfer window instead.
"Antonio Cassano does not figure in Inter's transfer strategy," Inter president Massimo Moratti told reporters in the biuld-up to this weekend's game.
"He is demonstrating what he is, a great champion, a footballing artist. Experience will help him to improve. However, he does not enter into our plans."
Mourinho, Italian soccer's other great showman, quipped in reply that Cassano was not brought to the San Siro because he had the audacity to score against Inter last term.
The comedy will stop in Genoa on Saturday with Sampdoria needing to rediscover their form after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina knocked Luigi Del Neri's side off top spot.
Mourinho returns to the Inter bench following his one-game ban in Wednesday's 3-1 home win over Napoli and could make changes to the lineup with one eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash against Rubin Kazan in Russia.
Coach Leonardo said he was reasonably happy with the performance in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Udinese and Ronaldinho's bright display as a second-half substitute could put him in line for a start at home to Bari on Sunday (1845).
