Romelu Lukaku AWOL as Napoli set to punish striker in strong statement | Football | Sport

Napoli have suggested they may discipline Romelu Lukaku after he failed to appear for training on Tuesday. The former Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton striker has been recovering from an injury during the March international break – a decision which has sparked friction in Italy.

Lukaku has endured an injury-ravaged campaign and did not return to competitive action until January after sustaining a thigh problem during pre-season last summer. Belgium’s all-time leading scorer has made just seven appearances for Napoli this season, totalling 64 minutes.

And the club have now issued a statement on Tuesday after the 32-year-old failed to present himself at the club’s training ground.

It said: “SSC Napoli announces that Romelu Lukaku did not respond to today’s call-up for the resumption of training.

“The club reserves the right to decide whether to take appropriate disciplinary action, as well as whether to continue the player’s activity with the squad on a permanent basis.”

Lukaku has recently disclosed the pressure he has experienced in a social media post while dealing with his injury lay-off. The striker was forced to withdraw from Belgium’s squad for this month’s fixtures against the United States and Mexico.

He said: “This season has been a lot for me, from dealing with the injury and the personal loss. I know there has been a lot of noise about my situation in the last few days and it’s important to clarify the whole situation.

“The truth is the last few weeks I wasn’t feeling right physically and I had it checked out while I was in Belgium and it showed me that there was an inflammation and liquid on my hip flexor muscle next to my scar tissue. It is the second problem I had since coming back early November.”=

“I chose to do the rehab in Belgium so I can help the team when called upon. There’s nothing I would love more than to do than play and win with my team. But right now I have to make sure I am 100% because I haven’t been recently and it took a toll mentally.

“It’s been a lot this year. But in the end, I will get there and help Napoli and the national team to their respective objectives when called upon. That’s all I want.”

The Belgian forward spent several years plying his trade in England with United, Everton, West Brom and two stints at Chelsea before making his return to Inter Milan in 2022.

Lukaku has just one year remaining on his Napoli contract, and has been linked with a return to his homeland with Anderlecht.