MILAN (AP) 鈥� Romelu Lukaku has been the focus at Napoli this week. Just not in a good way.
Lukaku failed to turn up to training on Tuesday and the club that it may take 鈥渁ppropriate disciplinary action鈥� against the forward. That includes freezing him out of the first team.
Whatever happens, Lukaku is unlikely to be available for Monday鈥檚 crucial Serie A match against AC Milan 鈥� a head-to-head battle for second place.
For his part, Lukaku 鈥� who missed the first half of the season with a 鈥� insists he stayed in Belgium for medical reasons after national team doctors detected a muscular problem that had not been diagnosed by Napoli, but had kept him on the bench for the club鈥檚 previous two matches.
鈥淎s it is the second problem I have had since I returned at the beginning of November, I chose to do the rehabilitation in Belgium,鈥� Lukaku added in a social media post. 鈥淚 could never turn my back on Napoli, ever.
鈥淭here is nothing I want more than to play and win with my team鈥� but right now I have to make sure I鈥檓 100% clinically, because recently I haven鈥檛 been and this has also had a mental impact 鈥� but in the end I鈥檒l make it and I鈥檒l help Napoli and the national team achieve their goals when I鈥檓 called upon. It鈥檚 everything I want.鈥�
Lukaku went to Belgium to join the national team but was forced to and did not travel to the United States for the friendly matches against the U.S. and Mexico.
Napoli and Belgium teammate Kevin De Bruyne could try and ease the tension between Lukaku and Napoli.
De Bruyne said after Wednesday鈥檚 draw against Mexico, 鈥淥nce I get back to the club, I will be more up to date. I will try to help, if necessary.”
Key matchups
Milan is in second place, just a point above third-placed Napoli.
The Rossoneri are six points behind league leader Inter Milan, which itself faces a tough matchup against Champions League-chasing Roma on Sunday.
Roma is level with fifth-placed Juventus, three points behind Como and the final Champions League berth.
Juventus hosts Genoa on Monday, shortly after Como visits Udinese.
Players to watch
Italy players will have to swiftly recover from the disappointment of for a third straight World Cup.
Inter defender has become the face of the latest catastrophe after his red card during the in the World Cup playoffs on Tuesday.
Fortunately for Bastoni, his first match back will be at San Siro, where the Inter fans can drown out any boos from other supporters.
Out of action
Fiorentina forward Moise Kean is a doubt for Saturday鈥檚 trip to Hellas Verona after he was substituted just minutes after scoring Italy鈥檚 early goal against Bosnia. Kean appeared to twist his ankle while turning off the ball, two minutes after scoring.
Carlos Augusto is suspended for Inter, while Roma is still without star forward Paulo Dybala following knee surgery.
Off the field
The to the Milan clubs has run into more controversy after Italian financial police raided the city council鈥檚 offices this week in an investigation into the 200 million euro deal.
Computers and mobile phones were among the items seized, with nine individuals placed under investigation for bid-rigging and collusion.
Inter and Milan completed the purchase of the 99-year-old stadium and surrounding area in November 鈥� clearing the way for the clubs to a new 71,500-seat arena.
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