Romelu Lukaku returns to Napoli training ahead of Champions League clash against Copenhagen | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku has handed Napoli a major boost by returning to full team training just days before their crucial UEFA Champions League clash away to FC Copenhagen.

Lukaku suffered a high‑grade muscle injury during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos on August 14, which forced him to miss the entire first half of the campaign. His absence prompted Napoli to sign Rasmus Hojlund.

After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Lukaku stepped up his recovery in early December by taking part in his first collective session since mid-August at Castel Volturno.

Despite this, he was deemed unready for the Champions League trip to Benfica, but has since made steady progress.

“Romelu has worked fully with the team over the last two or three days; he’s recovered,” Napoli’s head of medical staff, Dr Raffaele Canonico, told Radio Crc (h/t Gianluca Di Marzio).

“Then the coach will decide when he’ll be ready to play after a long layoff. “

Crucially, Napoli have activated a special UEFA provision to replace long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne with Lukaku on their Champions League squad list, making the striker eligible for the upcoming fixtures against Copenhagen and Chelsea.

Napoli have had an underwhelming campaign on the continental scene so far, winning just two of their six outings.

The Partenopei head to Parken with their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance, currently sitting 23rd out of 32 teams in the league standings, just one point clear of elimination.

Antonio Conte’s men have little margin for error if they are to avoid a group-stage exit, and Lukaku’s return is a welcome development.