Napoli have suffered a serious setback in their Serie A title charge, as star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be sidelined until at least the end of winter following surgery on a hamstring injury. Italian media report that the Belgian underwent a successful operation earlier this week, but his recovery will be lengthy.

The injury occurred last weekend when De Bruyne took a penalty during the tense clash against Inter Milan. The following day, the club officially confirmed that the 33-year-old would require surgical treatment. According to reports, the midfielder had the procedure done in his native Belgium and has now begun the first phase of his rehabilitation in Antwerp.

As noted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Bruyne’s recovery period is estimated to last between three and five months. A potential return in February has been described as the most optimistic scenario — though much will depend on how his rehabilitation progresses.

Despite this huge setback, Napoli remain at the top of the Serie A standings, but losing one of their key creative forces could test their depth and resilience as the title race intensifies in the months ahead.