The injury for Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori is more serious than at first thought, with suggestions he will be out of action for at least 30-40 days.
The former Sassuolo forward sustained an injury in training and has been diagnosed with a second degree strain to the semimembranosus muscle in his left thigh.
There is no firm confirmation of how long he will be out for, but the statement released by the club did say he will be evaluated in the ‘coming weeks.’
Radio Marte contacted former Italy chief medic Enrico Castellacci, the President of the National Association of Italian Sports Medics, for some greater elucidation.
“Only reading the diagnosis, if there is a second degree lesion, then that means some of the fibres have been torn,” said Professor Castellacci.
“This would require at least 30 days of rest. The Napoli staff won’t want to run any risks and some of it depends on his general propensity for recovery, but he will only return when fully healed.”
When asked if Raspadori could be fit in time to play for Italy against England on March 23 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Castellacci warned that was unlikely.
“If that’s 40 days away, that is borderline, because that type of lesion usually needs 30-40 days to return.”
Raspadori will turn 23 this weekend and so far this season has scored five goals with two assists in 23 competitive games for Napoli, but has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks.