PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Faouzi Ghoulam - Algerian nears return from injury

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Feb 07, 2018. 19:00

Algerian left-back Faouzi Ghoulam is drawing closer to a return from the serious knee injury he suffered in November last year.

The 27-year-old was tipped to be part of Napoli’s matchday squad for their Serie A match away to Benevento last weekend, but in the end manager Maurizio Sarri opted against including him.

It is hoped that Ghoulam will make his eagerly-anticipated return when Napoli host Lazio on Saturday night.

Napoli team doctor Alfonso Di Nicolae warned that while Ghoulam has recovered well from the surgery to his knee, he could be in danger of muscle injuries when he returns to playing.

"When a player contracts a dangerous injury like Ghoulam, he needs to take the time to heal because he will not be immune to a muscle injury that could make him unavailable for weeks yet,” Nicolae told the Italian media this past weekend.

“That's why we take care not to [rush him back]. In any case, his health is clearly good and it is up to coach Sarri to decide [whether he will play].”