Rafa Benitez confirms Dries Mertens is unlikely to be fit for the weekend, whilst he assesses Napoli’s mindset preparing for Cagliari.
The Vesuviani come out of the November international break looking to pick up where they left off in terms of form, having enjoyed a run of just one defeat from the last 11 players.
“After the international break, it is even more difficult, but we went into it with three positive results without conceding and the confidence is high,” Benitez has considered to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli today.
Rafa Benitez confirms Dries Mertens is unlikely to be fit for the weekend, whilst he assesses Napoli’s mindset preparing for Cagliari.
The Vesuviani come out of the November international break looking to pick up where they left off in terms of form, having enjoyed a run of just one defeat from the last 11 players.
“After the international break, it is even more difficult, but we went into it with three positive results without conceding and the confidence is high,” Benitez has considered to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli today.
“We are all mentally prepared, even those who only returned yesterday.
“Now we await the return of everyone else.”
This includes Dries Mertens, who caused concern over the weekend when knocked out playing for Belgium against Wales.
“We have spoken to him and the doctor, he must feel comfortable. Tomorrow he will return and evaluate him, but the priority is his situation, and I think it is almost impossible to count on him for this weekend.
“And the other injured players? Everyone is working well, even Michu and Zuniga, but we will see.
“Even Insigne is working well with double sessions.”
Up next is the visit of a highly complimentary Zdenek Zeman and his Cagliari.
“We will see two teams that attack, which is what we all want, with nice football, and it is this that always brings more fans into the stadium.
“De Guzman to play on the left in Insigne’s place? For many years I have coached and it is those who train who have the least chance of missing out.
“We shall see how those who return from international duty are, how they train, and then we will decide. It is possible that I can play Hamsik or Ghoulam, or that we play with two strikers.”