MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Scott McTominay of Napoli looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte has explained that Scott McTominay will decide for himself whether he is fit and available to play against PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, as the Napoli star deals with an issue on his ankle.
The Partenopei will take on PSV at Phillips Stadion in the Netherlands on Tuesday night, looking to make it back-to-back victories in the Champions League following a 2-1 win over Sporting CP last time out in the competition. Napoli fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City after being reduced to 10 men early in the first half during the first round of fixtures.
Conte on McTominay availability: ‘It will be him who makes the decision’
One major doubt for Conte and his staff is the availability of reigning Serie A MVP McTominay, who was left out of the matchday squad with an injury concern for the 1-0 defeat by Torino on Saturday.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli inspect the pitch during a stadium familiarisation ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 against Manchester City at City of Manchester Stadium on September 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, Conte explained that the decision on whether McTominay can play will be down to the midfielder himself rather than the medical staff.
“We have to wait until tomorrow, it will be him who makes the decision. He did individual work yesterday, he did part of the training today,” Conte explained.
“He had this problem with a cut at the top of his ankle. It will be up to him to take responsibility for the decision.
“I was a player before, and forcing them is never good. We’re waiting for his decision, knowing that he’s an important player for us. If he’s there, we’ll be very happy, otherwise, we have a solution ready.”
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