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By Ebenezer Bajela.
Italian Serie A leaders Napoli have expressed doubt in the availability of Nigeria international Victor Osimhen for their crucial UEFA Champions League first leg quarter-finals against AC Milan next week, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen suffered a muscle injury while on international duty with Nigeria last week, during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and missed Napoli’s Sunday 4-0 loss against Milan in a Serie A clash at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona last Sunday.
Since joining the Italian outfit from Lille in 2020, Osimhen has grown to become an integral part of Luciano Spalletti’s side and the 24-year-old is enjoying a brilliant season, scoring 25 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions to help Spalletti’s side sit 16 points clear in the Serie A table and reach the Champions League last eight.
While the league is almost a done deal, the Partenopei are still in the race to win the Champions League but the striker’s chances of facing their rivals in the Champions League are looking unlikely.
The striker underwent treatment at Castelvolturno on Tuesday, and according to Sky Sport Italia, Friday will be a key date to know whether the Nigerian will be available in the Champions League next week.
“Napoli confirmed on Tuesday that their star striker underwent therapies in the morning at the club’s training centre in Castel Volturno.
“This means the 24-year-old won’t be available against Lecce on Friday when the Partenopei visit Lecce at the Stadio Via Del Mare.
“Friday will also be a key date to know whether Osimhen will be available against Milan next week. Napoli’s correspondent Massimo Ugolini maintains that the Partenopei will ‘need a miracle’ to have the striker back against the Rossoneri at San Siro.”
