Scott McTominay returns to Napoli after heart surgery recovery

Scott McTominay has returned to Napoli training following a successful recovery from heart surgery, clearing the way for his involvement in upcoming Serie A and European fixtures. The 29-year-old Scotland international underwent corrective ablation treatment at Spire Manchester Hospital in September after being diagnosed with a mild, benign arrhythmia. He was prescribed a period of rest before rejoining the squad, and Napoli confirmed on Wednesday that he had been cleared for duty after undergoing further diagnostic tests.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri indicated that McTominay would be available for limited minutes in Napoli's match against Frosinone, stating he could contribute "at least 20-30 minutes" rather than start the match. Following that fixture, Allegri suggested McTominay remains in contention for a starting role in future matches, though the manager emphasized the need to assess the player's physical condition carefully. Allegri noted that McTominay had been inactive for approximately two months and required time to rebuild full match fitness.

McTominay had last appeared on August 30 in a league defeat to Como before his arrhythmia was detected. He missed three subsequent league matches and the recent international break with Scotland. The midfielder previously took to social media to tell fans "See you soon Napoli, I won't take long," expressing his eagerness to return. Napoli currently face several injury challenges across their squad, with Allegri managing the return of multiple players recovering from various absences while maintaining focus on European commitments alongside their Serie A campaign.