Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be out for several months, after the Napoli midfielder suffered a thigh injury against Inter.

The former Manchester City maestro opened the scoring during the Partenopei's 3-1 victory over the Nerazzurri, but immediately pulled up after converting from the penalty spot.

De Bruyne clutched his right thigh and was substituted just four minutes later, as Antonio Conte's side went on to reclaim top spot in Serie A.

Napoli have subsequently confirmed the 34-year-old suffered a "high-grade tear to the femoral bicep in the right thigh."

The reigning Scudetto holders said De Bruyne had already started his rehabilitation process, but did not place an exact timeframe on his potential return to action.

Romelu Lukaku was sidelined for four months when enduring a similar issue during a pre-season friendly in August, so his compatriot could be out for a similar period, starting with Tuesday's trip to Lecce.

After Saturday's clash with Inter, Conte claimed Napoli may have been cursed, such is the extent of their injury woe.

"Perhaps someone has cursed us, but we keep going anyway," Conte said.

Napoli will be aiming to avoid suffering a fifth successive away defeat in all competitions when they take on 16th-place Lecce, who were beaten 3-2 by Udinese last weekend, on Tuesday.

Eusebio Di Francesco's side have drawn both their last two league games at Via del Mare, against Bologna and Sassuolo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lecce – Konan N'Dri

N'Dri scored a last-gasp consolation during Lecce's 3-2 defeat at Udinese on Saturday. Both of his goals this season have come from outside the box.

Another goal from distance would see the Ivorian match his tally across all 144 matches he played before making his Serie A debut in February.

Napoli – Scott McTominay

McTominay doubled Napoli's lead against Inter on Saturday with a superb volley across Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

The Scotland international (11 goals, three assists) is one of three midfielders to register 10 or more goal contributions in Serie A since the start of 2025, along with team-mate Frank Anguissa and Como's Nico Paz.

MATCH PREDICTION: NAPOLI WIN

Napoli have won each of their last five Serie A matches against Lecce at Via del Mare.

The Partenopei have also kept clean sheets in each of the last four league meetings between the sides.

In the calendar year of 2025, Lecce are the team that have lost the most home games in Serie A (eight out of 14).

Across the same period, only Udinese (21) have conceded more goals in home games than the Giallorossi (20).

However, Napoli have lost their last four competitive away matches (against Manchester City, Milan, Torino, and PSV). They have not suffered five consecutive away defeats in all competitions since between May and October 2009.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Lecce – 17.5%
Draw – 23.4%
Napoli – 59.9%