Scott McTominay’s return is nearing its final medical step, with Napoli waiting to restore a player whose influence has been felt sharply during a month away from the pitch. The midfielder is due to undergo the examinations required to receive full sporting clearance after treatment for a benign heart rhythm issue.
The coach and the club
Max Allegri is awaiting a favourable outcome before welcoming McTominay back into unrestricted first-team work. The Scotland international underwent an ablation procedure in Manchester on 8 September to address the mild arrhythmia, and the club must now receive the doctors’ final approval before ending his individual recovery programme.
McTominay has been back at the training ground for two weeks. His work has moved from gym sessions to exercises on the grass alongside team-mates, although he has not yet taken part in contact drills, tactical work or internal practice matches.
A positive medical assessment would make him available again in principle, potentially including for Saturday’s match against Frosinone. Yet, after around a month out, he would have only a limited number of full group sessions behind him, leaving his involvement uncertain.
Napoli’s calendar offers further opportunities for a careful return. Villarreal visit on Tuesday, followed by Venezia next Saturday.
A missing reference point
McTominay has not played since the Como match on 30 August. He started the earlier game in Genoa and then appeared at the Maradona, but has been absent from the fixture against Inter onwards.
The figures underline the weight of that absence. Napoli have won 48 of 82 matches with McTominay on the field, a 59 per cent success rate. Without him, they have recorded six victories from 15 games, reducing the percentage to 40.
His standing has been built quickly in Italy. McTominay was named MVP in his first Serie A season, became a central figure in the Scudetto campaign under Antonio Conte, and has scored 27 goals across two years. Within the squad, he has also grown into one of the recognised leaders.
For Allegri and Napoli, the remaining obstacle is no longer a question of desire or workload. It is the final medical confirmation that allows McTominay to return fully to the group.
