Napoli manager, Luciano Spalletti has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen will return from injury for their next Serie A clash.
The 22-year-old star missed Napoli’s 1-0 win over Salernitana on Sunday, having suffered a muscular injury in training ahead of the match.
The Neapolitans were able to cope in the absence of their leading scorer, claiming a narrow victory thanks to Piotr Zielinski’s strike to remain ahead of Milan on goal difference at the top of the log.
Their next match, away to Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday 4 November, is likely to arrive too soon for Osimhen, but the Nigerian could be back in action for Verona’s visit to Stadio Armando Diego Maradona on Sunday 7 November.
“It remains to be seen if he [Osimhen] has to stay out for a couple of games,” Spalletti told the media, as quoted by Tutto Napoli.
“For Sunday he can also do it, we have a lot of trust in our doctors.”
Napoli confirmed the extent of the injury suffered by Osimhen: “Victor this morning [Sunday], at the Pineta Grande Clinic, underwent instrumental tests that showed a contracture of the right gastrocnemius [calf muscle].
“Osimhen has already started treatment and his condition will be evaluated in the coming days.”
The attacker has been in great form for his club in 2021-22, scoring nine times (plus two assists) in 12 appearances across all competitions.
His possible return to fitness is also good news for Nigeria, who will wrap up the group stage of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers with matches against Liberia (away) and Cape Verde (home) later this month.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
