Scott McTominay has undergone a successful heart procedure and will spend the next two weeks recovering before returning to training, Napoli have confirmed.
The 29-year-old Scotland international underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital on Tuesday morning after missing Napoli’s weekend defeat to Inter Milan.
Napoli confirmed that the operation was successful, providing some immediate relief for the Serie A champions and McTominay’s supporters.
The former Manchester United midfielder has already been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Arsenal, meaning he will miss a reunion with his former club at the start of Napoli’s European campaign.
He is also expected to miss Napoli’s upcoming Serie A fixtures against Bologna and Fiorentina while he completes his recovery.
A statement from Napoli said: “On Tuesday morning, Scott McTominay underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital. The operation was a complete success. McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”
The procedure is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, also known as arrhythmias, and Napoli’s confirmation that McTominay will resume training after a two-week rest period offers an encouraging indication about his expected recovery.
McTominay was absent as Napoli suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat against reigning champions Inter Milan on Saturday.
His absence was immediately noticeable given his importance to Antonio Conte’s team, particularly after the midfielder played a major role in Napoli’s successful campaign last season.
The Scotland international has quickly established himself as an important figure since leaving Manchester United, bringing physicality, energy and goals to the Napoli midfield.
His absence against Arsenal will therefore represent a significant blow for the Italian champions as they begin another Champions League campaign.
Arsenal will also be aware that Napoli could be without one of their most influential midfielders when the two sides meet.
For McTominay, however, football now takes a back seat.
The priority is recovery.
Napoli’s statement suggests the midfielder is expected to return to training after two weeks, although his eventual return to competitive action will depend on his recovery and subsequent assessment.
The timing of the procedure means McTominay faces a short spell away from the pitch, but the successful outcome will be the most important development for the player.
At 29, he remains a key part of Scotland’s plans as well as Napoli’s ambitions, making his health far more important than any individual fixture.
Napoli will now have to navigate a demanding period without him, starting with their Champions League meeting with Arsenal and followed by domestic tests against Bologna and Fiorentina.
McTominay, meanwhile, begins his recovery away from the spotlight.
The immediate message from Napoli is positive: the procedure was a complete success, two weeks of rest are planned, and training will follow.
For a player whose influence has grown rapidly in Italy, that will come as welcome news.
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