Gargano fit, Henrique likely out against Chievo

Napoli have a very important match against an eternally annoying Chievo Verona side this weekend, and having as many fit players as possible available for it will be a good thing. As such, the media has been keeping a very close eye on Napoli training this week, and the news they're bringing is a bit of a mixed bag.

Walter Gargano had to sit against Genoa anyways, but apparently he wouldn't have played even if he wasn't suspended. He reportedly picked up a knock against Udinese and wasn't fit on Monday, and has been working to be available for this weekend since then. He trained with the rest of the squad for the first time this week on Thursday, lending optimism towards his availability for the weekend, though likely from the bench as the media's opinion seems to be a return to the Jorginho-Lopez midfield pivot that was so effective earlier in the season.

For Henrique, the news isn't as rosy. The Brazilian missed the Genoa match with a muscular injury and has been doing fitness work on the side all week, so it would be a little surprising if he plays on Sunday. Of course, some think that Henrique is actually healthy and is just being held out to protect him ahead of a transfer to Villarreal, but he did seem to be laboring a bit at the end of the Udinese match.

Henrique's probable absence is of mild concern, as it shouldn't be shocking if Rafa Benitez elects to rest Ivan Strinic and start Miguel Britos at left back. Strinic was clearly exhausted by the end of the Genoa match, and even with almost a full week to recover, it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to give him a bit of a break while he builds up match fitness again. Without Henrique available, that would force Rafa to call up Sebastiano Luperto from the youth squad to serve as emergency depth, which is not the best situation to be in.