Striker Dries Mertens returns to Belgium for ankle rehab

Italian Serie A club SSC Napoli has confirmed that striker Dries Mertens has returned to Belgium to visit a specialist as his ankle injury has still not healed fully.

SSC Napoli Belgian striker Dries Mertens in pain after picking up an ankle injury. Photo: Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

The Belgian only recently made his comeback to the team following an ankle sprain he suffered during the match between Napoli and Inter Milan in mid-December.

Dries Mertens of SSC Napoli picks up ankle injury. Photo: Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

However, the problem flared up again and he has been playing through pain-killing injections, football-italia says.

Napoli released a statement in which it was confirmed that Mertens has flown back to his home country Belgium to visit a specialist for 'ankle rehab'.

SSC Napoli confirms Dries Mertens has returned to Belgium for ankle treatment ⬇

📌 | #Mertens returns to Belgium for ankle rehab

👉 https://t.co/yMlcUS14Ww

💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/w2zkxQL4u0

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) January 30, 2021