New David Neres injury blow for Napoli: Out vs. Juventus, Chelsea doubt, but Lukaku returns | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku is back for Napoli, but Sky Sport Italia reports that David Neres will take longer than expected to return to action, potentially remaining on the sidelines until the end of the month.

Napoli have travelled to Copenhagen for a Champions League match against Copenhagen without Brazilian winger David Neres.

Napoli injury updates: Neres and Lukaku

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 22: David Neres of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Supercoppa Italiana Final between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC 1909 at King Saud University Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The 28-year-old has missed three of the last four Serie A matches due to an ankle injury.

His substitute appearance against Parma last week appeared to suggest the Brazilian’s return was around the corner, but Neres returned to the treatment room on Saturday for the Partenopei’s home victory against Sassuolo.

To make things worse, Sky Sport Italia reports that Neres is nowhere near fully recovered as he’ll miss the next two games against Copenhagen and Juventus and is in doubt for the last league phase game of the Champions League against Chelsea on January 28.

David Neres has scored six goals and provided four assists in 25 appearances across all competitions this season.

On the other hand, Romelu Lukaku’s return is near as the Belgian striker is available for tomorrow’s game against Copenhagen.

Lukaku set for 2025-26 debut

epa12092555 Napoli’s forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring the goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs CF Genoa at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, 11 May 2025. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE

The Napoli team doctor has confirmed that the Belgian has “fully recovered.”

Lukaku suffered a high-degree muscle injury during a pre-season friendly and has yet to make his debut this season.

Matteo Politano and Amir Rrahmani will miss the Copenhagen and Juventus matches due to muscle injuries confirmed by Napoli on Monday.