Manna update on Napoli injury and contract scenarios
Napoli director of sport Giovanni Manna gives an update on Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku injuries, plus Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa’s contract situation.
The game with Como kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 GMT.
Como have lost only one Serie A game this season, 1-0 away to Bologna on August 30, along with four wins and as many draws.
Napoli on top despite injury crisis
“I don’t think that Como will come here and sit back waiting for Napoli to attack,” assured Manna on DAZN Italia before kick-off.
“We saw this season that they always try to play their game and go forward, they have a fine coach. It’s going to be a complicated match, so we must do well and be on our toes.”
Anguissa has notched up a series of goals and Man of the Match awards this term in the Napoli midfield, so how are talks going to extend his contract?
“Anguissa is playing great football, he is a very important figure for us, both on and off the field. We have a unilateral option to extend, but there is no rush, we are focusing on the games right now,” replied Manna.
Lukaku is in the stadium this evening for the first time, having returned from Belgium where he has been undergoing treatment since August for a serious thigh muscle tear.
Curiously, De Bruyne is in Belgium to undergo treatment for a similar setback, which is expected to keep the former Manchester City star out of action for three to four months.
“De Bruyne had surgery this week, it went well, he will remain in Belgium for a few weeks and then begin the rehabilitation process. Lukaku had the opposite journey, he is now starting to work in training by himself, we hope to have him with the rest of the squad over the next few weeks,” concluded Manna.
Lukaku was spotted in the tunnel chatting with his teammates before kick-off.