Mertens returning against Cagliari?

Napoli forward Dries Mertens is reportedly ready for his return from surgery and could be back in the squad already against Cagliari this weekend.

The Partenopei forward underwent a surgery on July 5 to fix a shoulder injury and has not featured so far in 2021-22.

But the Belgian forward is back in training and Il Corriere dello Sport reports he will be back in the squad soon.

Mertens is not available for tonight’s game against Sampdoria in Serie A, but the report claims he could take part in the home game against Cagliari on Sunday.

But if Sunday comes too soon for the 34-year-old, he should be ready to be involved in the Europa League match against Spartak Moscow next week.

Mertens, capped 102 times by Belgium, played four times at the Euros last summer and has entered the last year of his deal with the Azzurri.

He arrived from PSV Eindhoven in July 2013 for a reported €9.5m and has since scored 135 goals in 360 games with Napoli, including 16 in the Champions League.

Mertens underwent shoulder surgery