Billy Gilmour confirms successful surgery: ‘A period of pushing through pain’

Scotland international Billy Gilmour has confirmed that he has successfully undergone surgery on a pubalgia issue that has kept him out of action since November 1: ‘A period of pain and discomfort, but I’m already raring to be back out there,’ he writes. 

Gilmour has been unavailable for Napoli’s last three Serie A matches, plus their last two in the Champions League over a period that dates back to before the start of the November international break. 

The 24-year-old has been struggling with a pubalgia, or sports hernia, problem and elected to have surgery in London to amend the issue. 

It is expected that Gilmour will miss the rest of the calendar year and will aim for a return in January. 

“The start of the road to recovery after a successful surgery. After a period of discomfort pushing through pain, we’ve worked with specialists to find the right time to undergo treatment and help put this issue behind me,” the Napoli midfielder wrote in a post on Instagram. 

“I’ll miss the matchdays and the fans from the middle of the pitch for a little while, but I’m already raring to be back out there and focused on the journey ahead of me. See you soon everyone. Keep smiling, Billy G.”

A post shared by Billy Gilmour (@billygilmour)

Napoli also provided their own statement, which read: “Billy Gilmour underwent surgery at Wellington Hospital in London today. The operation was carried out by Ernst Schilders, with Napoli’s Gennaro De Luca also in attendance.”

Gilmour has not featured for Napoli since their 0-0 draw with Como on November 1. He has made nine appearances in Serie A so far this season, scoring once, and has turned out a further three times in the Champions League, once as a starter. 

With Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Kevin De Bruyne also out of action, Antonio Conte has been forced into a change of shape over the last few weeks, but has won both all of his last three matches since the international break, and has drawn level with Milan at the top of the Serie A standings.