Napoli face third-placed Milan this weekend and coach Walter Mazzarri is reportedly considering a return to the three-man defence.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.

Mario Rui is suspended, with Victor Osimhen still at the Africa Cup of Nations after Nigeria reached the Final against the Ivory Coast.

Mathias Olivera is the other choice at left-back and he is still injured, so this could prompt Mazzarri to shift his tactics yet again.

He had switched to a 3-4-3 formation against Fiorentina and Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana, then a 3-5-2 with Lazio in Serie A.

The 2-1 win over Hellas Verona saw a return to 4-3-3, but the absence of left-backs might be enough to prompt another change of plan.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Mazzarri is planning to use three at the back against Milan.

Meanwhile, Matteo Politano is back in the squad, with Piotr Zielinski and Alex Meret still training separately from the rest of the group.

If Politano is not fully fit, there is also the alternative of using a 3-5-2 with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia in a more central role behind Giovanni Simeone.

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