KEVIN DE BRUYNE is set for a lengthy period out for Napoli after picking up a freak injury during their win over Inter.
The 34-year-old had to be helped off the pitch in the 33rd minute having put his side ahead with a penalty.
Immediately after converting the spot kick, De Bruyne felt the back of his right leg, pulling up with a hamstring strain.
The extent of the injury has now been confirmed by Napoli in a statement.
The club wrote: “Following the injury sustained during the match against Inter, Kevin De Bruyne underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a high-grade tear to the biceps femoris in his right thigh.
“The Belgian international has already begun his rehabilitation program.”
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The former Manchester City man needed two of the medical staff to support him as he hobbled off the field looking utterly devastated.
Napoli went on to win the game 3-1 with goals from Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa enough to keep Hakan Calhanoglu’s own penalty from starting a comeback.
Antonio Conte‘s side ensured that they would remain at the top of Serie A with the win, bouncing back from a 6-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.
The champions were also beaten 1-0 by Torino last week and have seen Roma make a surge up the top.
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Milan are just one point behind Napoli and Roma, who are separated by goal difference after eight games.
Inter could have gone to the summit with a win but are now three points behind.
De Bruyne’s injury promises to shake up the title race with several months worth of recovery in store.
The playmaker has scored four times since his summer transfer to Naples, all of those coming in the league, and crucial matches are ahead.
Napoli face Lecce on Tuesday before a run of games against Cesc Fabregas’ Como, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bologna, Atalanta, Qarabag, Roma, Cagliari, Juventus, and Benfica all before mid-December.
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