Napoli coach reveals Osimhen still awaits medical clearance from Federation before return to action

Published: February 25, 2021

Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has stressed that it's up to the Italian Federation not club medics to decide when Victor Osimhen will return to action.

The Nigeria national teamer was unavailable for selection as the Serie A side were knocked out of the Europa League in the round of 32 stage despite a 2-1 win against Granada at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday evening.

Osimhen has to rest for a period of few days before resuming training following the head injury he suffered against Atalanta last weekend and the striker is now rated as doubtful for Napoli's Serie A match against Benevento this coming Sunday.

Piotr Zielinski fired Napoli ahead in the third minute but the goal was cancelled out by Angel Montoro in the 25th minute, leaving the Blues with a mountain to climb to progress to the last 16 as they needed to score three more goals without reply.

There was no twist in the tail despite Fabian Ruiz finding the net just before the hour mark.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the game, Gattuso said on Osimhen: "With Benevento? It's not up to us, he's had a head injury, he's blacked out, and it's up to Federation protocol on things like that, not our doctor.

"I don't know if he will be available on Sunday".

With Napoli knocked out of the Europa League and Coppa Italia, Osimhen has a slim chance of winning a trophy in his first season in Italy as The Parthenopeans trail table-toppers Inter Milan by 13 points in the Serie A with sixteen matches left to play.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : sscnapoli.it

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