Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Napoli’s Serie A clash with Leece on Friday.
The Nigeria international picked up a muscle injury after returning from national team duties with the Super Eagles during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers double header against Guinea-Bissau.
He was absent in Napoli’s 4-0 league loss to AC Milan last week, and manager Luciano Spalletti has confirmed Osimhen will not feature in the trip to Lecce as his fitness is still being monitored.
Osimhen is Serie A’s top scorer with 21 goals in 23 games.
“Osimhen will be assessed next week, so he won’t be available tomorrow. We need to see how his situation develops over the coming days,” Spalletti said on the club website.
Our squad for #LecceNapoli ????
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— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) April 6, 2023
Napoli have lost two of their last four league games (W2) and Spalletti has stated his team need to put all their efforts to bag all three points against 16th-placed Lecce.
“It’s a huge game and we know that we must put in a solid performance,” Spalletti continued.
“We need to put all our energy into what’s best for the team. When you come in off the back of a not-so-great game, you have to help each other by running for yourself and your teammates, taking responsibility for the others too.
“If you always think like this, it makes it easier to come back and find that team spirit.”
Napoli remain top of the Serie A standings and they enjoy a 16-point lead over second-placed Lazio.
They will face Milan again in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League next Wednesday.
