Scott McTominay's cardiac ablation procedure has been confirmed as successful by Napoli, with the Scotland midfielder expected to resume training within weeks and return to competitive action after the international break in early October.
The 29-year-old underwent the minimally invasive operation at Spire Manchester Hospital on Tuesday morning. A mild benign arrhythmia—an irregular heartbeat condition—was discovered after he was substituted during Napoli's 2-1 Serie A defeat to Como on 30 August.
Napoli's medical team confirmed the procedure went smoothly, stating that McTominay will rest for two weeks before resuming training. However, the club's sporting director Giovanni Manna provided additional detail on the recovery timeline, explaining that full sporting fitness would require 28 days due to McTominay taking anticoagulant medication during his recuperation, according to reports from the club.
McTominay himself addressed the situation on social media, stating the procedure had been arranged with the club "for quite a while" and that he was "fine," according to statements made on 3 September. He posted on Instagram: "See you soon Napoli. I won't take long."
The operation was performed using pulsed field ablation (PFA), a minimally invasive treatment technique for arrhythmia. According to the NHS, an arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an unsteady rhythm. The British Heart Foundation explains that cardiac ablation uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart tissue, blocking faulty electrical signals and restoring a normal heartbeat pattern.
What is the expected timeline for McTominay's return?
Napoli anticipates McTominay will be sidelined for approximately four club matches, including fixtures against Inter, Arsenal, Bologna and Fiorentina, before becoming available again after the international break. The former Manchester United player is expected to miss Scotland's Nations League fixtures scheduled for late September and early October under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.
What are Scotland's upcoming fixtures?
Pocognoli's first four matches in charge will see Scotland face Slovenia (home and away), North Macedonia and Switzerland in Nations League competition. The fixtures are scheduled for the end of September and early October, with key dates including a home match against Slovenia on 26 September and an away fixture against Switzerland on 29 September. McTominay's absence from these early internationals means Pocognoli will need to manage his squad without the midfielder during a critical period in his tenure.
When will McTominay return to action?
The midfielder is targeted to return to competitive play after the international break concludes in early October. Napoli's next league fixture following the break is scheduled for 11 October against Frosinone, which represents a realistic target for McTominay's comeback to match action.
Key Facts
- McTominay underwent pulsed field ablation at Spire Manchester Hospital to treat a mild benign arrhythmia discovered during Napoli's match against Como on 30 August
- Full sporting fitness is expected to take 28 days due to anticoagulant medication required during recovery
- The midfielder will miss Scotland's Nations League fixtures in September and early October under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli
- Napoli expects McTominay to miss approximately four club matches before becoming available after the international break
- Return to competitive action is targeted for early October, with Napoli's fixture against Frosinone on 11 October as a potential comeback date
