Man Utd ace faces suspension over injury row

Romelu Lukaku's Napoli nightmare as ex-Man Utd ace faces suspension over injury row

Romelu Lukaku's tenure with Napoli could end in controversy almost a year on from winning the Serie A title

Romelu Lukaku's turbulent season at Napoli appears to have reached crisis point after the striker's choice to go against the Serie A champions' wishes. The former Manchester United forward has endured a torrid campaign in Naples with the bulk of his season wiped out due to the serious hamstring injury he sustained last summer.

In the aftermath of the setback, Lukaku posted on Instagram: "I really appreciate the support from you guys. S*** happens, and injuries are part of the game, but by the grace of God, I feel good, and I'm always positive-minded no matter what. See you soon."

However, Lukaku has found it difficult to honour that pledge. After five months on the sidelines, the 32-year-old - who also heartbreakingly lost his father last September - made his comeback in January but has featured for just 64 minutes since then.

Still yet to begin a match this season, the Belgium international finally returned to action in January during a 3-0 defeat to Juventus. The striker then netted an emotional winner against Verona in February, his first Serie A strike in eight months.

"These have been difficult months, personally," he said following that match. "Football has given me so much, but losing my father the way I did was tough to handle. But I keep going for my children, for my brother, and for Napoli. This club has given me a lot. I was dead before coming here."

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Following the match, Conte - who also worked with the striker at Chelsea and Inter Milan - spoke of the compassion he and his squad have for the Belgian after everything he has endured, insisting he would rediscover his best form in due course.

The Italian said: "Lukaku had such a serious injury, I know all too well how much he has suffered with this situation, as he wants to help Napoli and help me, for the rapport that we have. We are cuddling him and working hard, he is not yet the player that we know, but he's getting there. This goal will give him confidence, the World Cup is coming up, I'd love for both him and Kevin De Bruyne to play in it."

Lukaku has since been struck down by hip inflammation, forcing him to withdraw from international duty earlier this month. He was expected to travel back to Italy for further evaluation following his latest blow, but tensions began to surface in his relationship with Napoli after the striker chose to remain in his hometown of Antwerp to receive treatment.

His decision to directly defy his club's instructions could have grave repercussions, with Lukaku reportedly facing exile from Antonio Conte's squad for the remainder of the season, according to La Repubblica.

The reigning league champions released a strongly-worded statement regarding the striker's absence, vowing to "consider appropriate disciplinary action, as well as to determine whether the player will continue to train with the squad for an indefinite period."

Amid his turbulent season, Lukaku took to social media to shed light on the personal and professional pressures that have blighted his campaign, stating: "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." Due back in Naples next week, a further report from the same media outlet reveals that Lukaku is set to sit down with Conte and sporting director Giovanni Manna for crucial talks.

Having viewed Lukaku's refusal to return to Italy as a breach of protocol, Manna confirmed the striker will face "consequences" for flouting club orders. Speaking ahead of their 1-0 victory over AC Milan last week, Manna said: "Romelu went to Belgium for international duty, had a slight setback with an injury and preferred to stay there to train, contrary to what we had asked.

"No one would have stopped him from working with his doctors, but we wanted to discuss it in Naples, and that didn't happen. We are unhappy about it. The integrity, respect, and value of the group are above all else.

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