Lukaku to return in December

Napoli have revealed that Romelu Lukaku will return to action after sustaining a thigh injury during preseason.

The Serie A champions made a bright start in the 2025/06 season, winning their first two games before the international break.

Napoli chief medic, Doctor Raffaele Canonico, gave the update on the Belgian striker, describing the injury as a serious one, and they chose to forego surgery.

The Partenopei had a few too many injury setbacks, which also include Amir Rrahmani and David Neres being on the treatment table.

Lukaku sustained a thigh muscle tear during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos on August 14, which ruled him out for about five months. The lanky striker is therefore tipped to return by December.

Canonico, who revealed to Radio CRC that he has been in contact with the former Chelsea striker, said his recovery is going well and on track for the predicted timetable.

It was gathered that the decision not to do surgery was made when Lukaku flew back to Belgium for specialist consultation.

The doctor revealed that Lukaku suffered a very serious tear to the rectus femoris muscle, which also damaged one of the insertional tendons. 

He added that there were options of conservative treatment and surgical treatment, and the player decided to follow the first, considering that the recovery time is pretty similar.

“He is in Belgium with the authority of our medical staff, so I am in continual contact with his therapists and my colleagues working with him there. Within a couple of weeks, one of our therapists will be in Belgium to see his progress and treatment in person. It is all under control and supervised by us.”

Lorenzo Lucca has been leading the attack for the Partonopei in his absence. The former Udinese striker is yet to find the net in the Serie A for his new club.

Napoli and Antonio Conte’s staff have faced criticisms for the number of muscular injuries sustained over the last few months, but Canonico assures it is inevitable.

He added that Napoli had 15 muscular injuries, but other teams had 40.