Official: Di Lorenzo has avoided serious ligament damage

Napoli are breathing a sigh of relief after tests showed Giovanni Di Lorenzo avoided serious knee ligament damage, so he might only be out for a month.

There had been genuine concerns that his season was over after he hyperextended his left knee during yesterday’s 2-1 Serie A win over Fiorentina.

The Partenopei captain was stretchered off in agony and seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

Coach Antonio Conte said in post-match interviews that the medical staff feared he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament, which would’ve meant five to six months on the touchline.

Instead, a formal statement today confirmed no ligament damage, as Di Lorenzo only sustained a Grade II sprain to the left knee.

According to Sky Sport Italia, it is likely that he could be back on the field in just over a month’s time.

He will have a specialist consultation to decide on how to proceed with the recovery programme.