Lukaku returns to Napoli after injury in boost to Belgium before World Cup

Romelu Lukaku's highly anticipated return to action is set
to bolster Belgium's World Cup hopes after weeks of uncertainty over whether
the country's record goalscorer would be fit in time for next month's
tournament.
Lukaku is due to return to Napoli
on Monday, Italian daily Quotidiano Sportivo reported, after spending five
weeks in Belgium recovering from persistent injuries.
The 32-year-old was fined by Napoli
after he failed to rejoin the club following the March international break,
opting instead to remain in Belgium to continue treatment with his preferred
physiotherapist.
Lukaku had joined up with Belgium's squad ahead of a pair
of World Cup warm-up fixtures but did not travel because of hamstring and hip
complaints.
Napoli docked him 20% of his
monthly salary, reports said, after he failed to return, although he went back
on April 20 and was granted permission to continue his treatment in Belgium. He
did not speak to coach Antonio Conte, who voiced his disappointment in a
television interview four days later.
"I didn't have a chance to
talk to him," Conte said.
"I know that one of our
directors did. Lukaku came to the training centre. My office is there, but no
one knocked on my door.
"That really hurt me," the Napoli coach continued.
"I expected a greeting, a
message or something like that. In these kinds of situations, the coach tries
to understand everyone, but no one really makes an effort to understand the
coach. I hadn't expected this situation."
Second-placed Napoli have three
Serie A fixtures remaining this season. They host Bologna and Udinese with an
away trip to Pisa in between.
Lukaku, who turns 33 later this
month, has not started for Napoli this season, making six substitute
appearances and netting a goal at Verona in February.
For Belgium, he has scored 89 times
but won the last of his 124 caps in the 4-3 home win over Wales in World Cup
qualification last June.
Belgium play against Egypt, Iran
and New Zealand in Group G at the World Cup.
















