McTominay back in full Napoli training after heart surgery
Scott McTominay is back in full training with Napoli after heart surgery.
The 29-year-old Scotland midfielder joined the rest of the squad this week. Midfielders play between defence and attack, linking the team and often arriving late in the box. He had been working separately as he built back up. It is his first time back with the main group since August.
Napoli said further diagnostic tests on Wednesday, 7 October, showed he is fit to play, according to BBC. The club had kept him on an individual programme until doctors were satisfied. Full team training is the final step before a player is available again. It usually includes passing drills, shape work and small-sided games. It does not guarantee a start, but it opens the door.
The issue came to light after Napoli's 2-1 defeat by Como in Serie A, Italy's top division, in August. McTominay was substituted after 56 minutes. Follow-up checks found a mild benign arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat that is not cancerous and is often treatable.
He then had an ablation procedure in Manchester last month. The treatment targets tiny areas of heart tissue that send faulty electrical signals. In this case it was described as "a complete success", according to BBC. Napoli said at the time he would rest for two weeks before resuming training, according to Napoli. He then moved through light work on his own before rejoining his team-mates.
His lay-off kept him out of four Scotland matches. That run included a Nations League defeat by Slovenia. The Nations League is UEFA's competition played alongside qualifying, with teams moving up and down between divisions. Scotland are next in action against Switzerland and North Macedonia in November.
For supporters, the sight of him back on the grass will mean plenty. McTominay has become a central figure for club and country with his energy and eye for a goal. He learned his football in Scotland and England before moving to Italy. Ninety minutes give strangers something to share, and one familiar face can lift the mood of a whole stand. This is one step closer to that noise returning.
