Nigeria and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen faces surgery on Tuesday after suffering multiple face fractures during the match with Inter Milan on Sunday.
The injury followed an aerial challenge with Milan Skriniar.
Although the 22-year-old was clearly dazed and his face swollen, he managed to walk off the pitch.
Tests revealed Osimhen suffered “multiple displaced fractures of the left eye socket and cheekbone”.
The Nigerian, who had to spend Sunday night under observation in a Milan hospital after the match at the San Siro, “will return to Naples in the evening” on Monday, Napoli said on its website.
“He will remain under observation and will be operated on tomorrow (Tuesday),” it added.
No deadline has been communicated for Osimhen’s return to action but the Italian press has forecast at least a month’s absence, which would rule him out of Napoli’s fixtures for the rest of the year.
It could be even longer before he plays for the club again as he is due to play for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The tournament runs through January with the final on February 6.
