Napoli, Lukaku back in training Monday, targets mid-December return | OneFootball

The Belgian striker of Napoli enters the decisive phase of recovery after the injury in August. Expected to be present on Saturday at the "Maradona" to support his teammates.

Napoli, Lukaku ready to restart: in the gym from Monday, aiming for a return in mid-December

The countdown has begun. Romelu Lukaku is preparing to return to the field after more than two months of stoppage. From Monday, the Belgian striker will return to the gym for an initial phase of light work, followed by a progressive intensification that will lead him, if everything goes as planned, to be available by mid-December.

After a long period of physiotherapy and constant monitoring, the Napoli forward has finally received the green light to begin functional rehabilitation. An important step towards full recovery, bringing him closer to the team and the Neapolitan public.

Expected on Saturday at the "Maradona" for Napoli-Como

Lukaku, who has never stopped following his teammates and supporting the group, is expected to be present on Saturday afternoon at the "Diego Armando Maradona", in the stands, to watch the league match against Como.

A symbolic but significant gesture, useful to reaffirm his closeness to the team and to rekindle the bond with the fans, who can't wait to see him back on the field. "Romelu has a positive attitude and a great desire to return," filters from the technical staff.

The work program: gym and gradual return to the field

From Monday, Lukaku will start with targeted gym sessions, dedicated to muscle strengthening and resistance reactivation. For at least a week, he will be limited to controlled exercises, under the supervision of Napoli's athletic trainers, without yet working with the ball.

Only later will he be able to resume training on the field, with the goal of reaching optimal condition by mid-December, a period in which the Azzurri will face Udinese away.

Conte and his staff intend to manage the recovery with maximum caution, aware that Lukaku's imposing physique requires precise timing and no forcing.

From the August injury to the revised schedule

The player was injured last August 14 during a summer friendly, and the initially estimated time of a hundred days of stoppage turned out to be slightly longer. The latest medical evaluations indicate that the return will occur with a couple of weeks' delay, a decision driven by the desire to avoid relapses and ensure a return to the field in ideal conditions.

The shared goal among the player, medical staff, and coach is to include Lukaku among the call-ups by mid-December, just before the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

A return awaited by Conte and the fans

Antonio Conte has always considered Lukaku a tactical and human reference point. The coach hopes to soon find the best version of the Belgian, essential to provide depth to the attack and physicality in key moments of the season.

The Azzurri environment, meanwhile, awaits his return with enthusiasm: the return of Big Rom represents not only a technical recovery but also a boost of confidence for the whole group in view of the second part of the season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.