Napoli suffer big blow as Faouzi Ghoulam faces another month out

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Rome, Feb 12: Serie A leaders Napoli have faced a further setback after their star defender Faouzi Ghoulam underwent surgery on a fractured patella in his right knee.

The 26-year-old left fullback was on the sideline since the beginning of November after tearing the anterior cruciate knee ligament in his right knee during the 4-2 Champions League group stage defeat to Manchester City, however, came back to light first-team training since the last month.

But the Algerian international suffered another setback in the same knee on last Friday and now has to undergo a surgery on the broken kneecap as is expected to out for at least further one month.

The Naples based side explained the injury and the following successful surgery news on their social media account.

The statement read: "Faouzi Ghoulam was operated on at Villa Stuart by prof. Mariani after fracturing his right kneecap in training on Friday.

"The player will begin his rehabilitation on Saturday and be re-assessed in two weeks' time but is expected to resume training in around a month."

Ghoulam was in superb form before his severe injury and was attracting a lot of interest from all over Europe with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Liverpool etc.

The Algerian who penned a new five-year deal with the Stadio San Paolo-based team in December played 17 matches for Sarri's side this season before the injury and in the process provided four assists and one goal.

Napoli currently possesses a one-point lead over defending champions Juventus at the top of Serie A and will be up in action against Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in the Europa league next.