Scott McTominay's Successful Heart Surgery

Scott McTominay has undergone successful heart surgery, with Napoli confirming the Scotland midfielder is expected back in training before the end of the month.

The 29-year-old had an ablation procedure on Tuesday morning at Spire Manchester Hospital, a minimally invasive operation used to correct irregular heart rhythms. Napoli described the surgery as "a complete success" and outlined a clear recovery plan.

McTominay will rest for two weeks before rejoining full training, the club said, keeping alive their initial hope that he could return to action shortly after the international break in early October.

The issue surfaced during Napoli's 2-1 Serie A defeat by Como on 30 August, when McTominay was substituted after 56 minutes. Subsequent checks revealed a mild benign arrhythmia, leading to the decision for corrective treatment rather than any prolonged period of uncertainty.

Once the news became public, McTominay moved quickly to reassure supporters, posting on Instagram: "See you soon Napoli. I won't take long."

For Scotland, the timing is tight but not terminal. New head coach Sebastien Pocognoli is preparing for his first four matches in charge – a home-and-away double-header against Slovenia, plus Nations League fixtures with North Macedonia and Switzerland – scheduled for late September and early October.

Whether McTominay features in that opening chapter of the Pocognoli era will depend on how smoothly he comes through his post-surgery rest and return to training. What is clear is that both club and country now have a far firmer footing for those decisions than they did just a week ago.