Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku won’t return to action before December due to a serious thigh injury, sticking to the original schedule for a full recovery.

Romelu Lukaku’s road to recovery from a serious thigh injury is set to be a long one. The Napoli striker suffered a deep tear of the muscle during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos in August, forcing him to undergo specialist treatment in Belgium.

Despite initial hopes of returning to the field by November 22, further check-ups in Brussels have confirmed that Lukaku won’t be available until December at the earliest.

The decision to avoid surgery has been made to prevent further extension of the recovery time. Lukaku has already begun rehabilitation, and Napoli’s medical staff are prioritising a full recovery over rushing him back to the pitch. This approach aligns with the original prognosis of a three-to-four-month absence, which led to Napoli signing Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United and omitting Lukaku from their UEFA Champions League squad list.

Lukaku’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by Napoli, who are looking to defend their Serie A title. With Hojlund stepping up to fill the gap, Napoli’s attack has shown promise, but the return of Lukaku will be crucial in adding depth and experience to the team.

The Belgian striker’s rehabilitation is being closely monitored, and while December may seem like a long way off, it’s essential for Lukaku to prioritise his recovery to avoid any setbacks.

The injury has sparked fears of a long layoff, and Lukaku’s availability for crucial World Cup qualifiers in October and November is uncertain. Belgium’s national team is monitoring the situation closely, and Lukaku’s participation in the qualifiers will depend on his progress in rehabilitation.