Scotland international Scott McTominay has rejoined full training with Napoli, marking a significant step in his recovery following heart surgery last month. The 29-year-old midfielder underwent an ablation procedure in Manchester to correct an irregular heart rhythm, with the operation declared "a complete success" at the time.
Napoli confirmed the development this week, stating that McTominay had passed a fresh round of medical checks. "On Wednesday, Scott McTominay underwent further diagnostic tests, which showed that he is fit to play," the club said, adding that he had since resumed training alongside his teammates after a period of working separately from the squad.
The health issue first emerged in August, when McTominay was withdrawn at half-time plus a few minutes during Napoli's 2-1 Serie A loss to Como. Medical staff subsequently identified a mild, benign arrhythmia, which led to the decision to carry out corrective treatment.
An ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat irregular heartbeats. According to the NHS, an arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slowly, or in an unsteady pattern. The British Heart Foundation describes the ablation process as one that applies heat or cold energy to create small scars within the heart tissue, which helps interrupt faulty electrical signals and restore a normal heart rhythm.
McTominay's absence from the pitch while recovering meant he missed four fixtures with the Scotland national team, including a recent Nations League defeat to Slovenia. His return to full training comes at a useful time, with Scotland set to face Switzerland and North Macedonia in their next set of international fixtures in November.
The midfielder has been a key figure for Napoli since his move to Serie A, and his scare over a heart condition will have been a cause for concern both at club and international level. With the procedure now behind him and medical clearance secured, attention will turn to how quickly he can work his way back into match fitness and contention for selection, both for Napoli's domestic campaign and for Scotland's upcoming qualifying assignments.
Heart arrhythmias, while often treatable, require careful monitoring in elite athletes given the physical demands of professional football. The fact that McTominay's condition was described as mild and benign will offer some reassurance, though clubs typically proceed cautiously with reintegration after any cardiac intervention, even a minimally invasive one.
Napoli have not provided a specific timeline for when McTominay might return to competitive action, but his resumption of full training represents a positive signal that his recovery is progressing as hoped. Scotland manager and staff will likely be watching his progress closely ahead of naming the squad for the November internationals, given how much his absence was felt during recent fixtures.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring McTominay builds up his fitness steadily, with both club and country eager to have the experienced midfielder back at full strength as the season progresses.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.