The classy midfielder’s comeback will give Scotland a huge World Cup boost as the countdown to the tournament truly begins
Mark Walker and Darren Cooney
09:36, 12 Feb 2026Updated 09:39, 12 Feb 2026
Billy Gilmour(Image: Getty Images)
Billy Gilmour will next week return to the Napoli squad – after almost four months on the sidelines.
The classy midfielder’s comeback will give Scotland a huge World Cup boost as the countdown to the North American tournament truly begins.
Gilmour hasn’t kicked a ball since the start of November, when he was taken off in the first half of a goalless draw against Como in Serie A and went under the knife the following month to solve a groin issue.
The injury caused him to miss Scotland’s historic qualification for their first World Cup in 28 years after Steve Clarke’s side beat Denmark at Hampden and he was also absent from the previous game’s defeat in Greece.
Gilmour was originally pencilled into a return last month, but the injury has taken longer than expected to heal and the former Rangers, Chelsea and Brighton star has missed plenty of football for the Italian champions.
Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour celebrate Napoli title success last term
However, reports in Italy have confirmed he will officially return to full training at the start of next week and is in contention for a return to action against Atalanta on February 22.
The 24-year-old playmaker has made 12 appearances for Napoli this season and scored his first goal for the club in September in a win against Pisa.
And the 43-times capped ace should be available again for Scotland for next month’s friendly double-header against Japan and the Ivory Coast.
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