Dries Mertens likely out for Europa League with thigh strain

Dries Mertens will likely not play for Napoli on Thursday when they head to Denmark to face FC Midtjylland, but the news isn't all bad: he should be fine not long after.

The Belgian had to leave the match against Fiorentina just 20 minutes after coming on as a sub and assisting Gonzalo Higuain on the game-winning goal. He took a few pretty hard shots and it sounded like he took another right before having to come off -- it was off-camera, but the commentator mentioned him being on the receiving end of a bodycheck -- but the diagnosis for his injury isn't nearly as bad as feared. According to Napoli's team doctors, Mertens has a "strong thigh strain."

That will doubtlessly hold him out of the trip to Denmark, but Napoli can live without him for a match. He'll likely be a slight doubt this weekend against Chievo, but should be fully available again not long after. Perhaps this could mean a bit more playing time for Manolo Gabbiadini in the meantime, though, which would hardly be a bad thing for Napoli.

Just get better soon, Mertens. We need you healthy and firing.