De Bruyne returned to Napoli’s gym on Feb 23 and looks on track for a March comeback (targets: Torino Mar 8, Lecce Mar 15). Betting angle: his presence would likely shorten Napoli’s home odds — consider backing Napoli to win or goals markets (Napoli 2+ goals or Over 1.5/2.5) in early March fixtures if he’s named in the squad.
Kevin De Bruyne nears return after long thigh injury
Kevin De Bruyne has taken a major step in his recovery from a high-grade biceps femoris tear suffered on 25 October. The Belgian midfielder, sidelined for almost four months after the injury, returned to Napoli’s Castel Volturno training ground on 23 February to work in the gym — a clear sign that the worst of the setback may be behind him.
Rehab progress and club caution
Napoli are remaining cautious, prioritising a careful progression over a rushed return to avoid setbacks. De Bruyne could rejoin full group training as soon as next week, which would be the final milestone before manager Antonio Conte considers him for matchday selection. The club is expected to monitor his workload closely before naming him in any squad.
Likely return windows and fixture targets
If rehabilitation continues without complication, the earliest realistic return dates are Napoli’s home match against Torino on the weekend of 8 March or the home fixture versus Lecce the following weekend. A later target is the away trip to Cagliari, scheduled for 21–22 March. Fans may not have to wait much longer for De Bruyne’s on-field return.
What De Bruyne’s return means for Napoli and punters
De Bruyne’s creativity and chance-creating ability would be an immediate boost to Napoli’s attack, particularly in home fixtures.
For bettors, his inclusion would likely make Napoli favorites in those early-March games and increase their expected goal output.
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Consider markets such as Napoli match-winner, Napoli to score 2+ goals, or raised probability on Over 1.5/2.5 goals if he is named in the starting XI or on the bench. As always, wait for official squad announcements before placing bets.
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