Fit-again Napoli striker Milik hopes for more playing time

MILAN: Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik (pic) has made an impassioned plea for more playing time amid speculation the Serie A giants could cash in by selling highly-fancied Belgium midfielder Dries Mertens in the summer.

Milik, sidelined for nearly six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered last October, ended a seven-month wait for just his fifth league goal when he came off the bench to save Napoli’s blushes with a late leveller in a 2-2 draw at Sassuolo on Sunday.

Now the Poland international, bought from

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Ajax for 35mil (RM167mil) last summer as a replacement for Juventus-bound Gonzalo Higuain, says he can help Napoli achieve their objective of a top-two finish.

“I’m very disappointed about the result because we’ve lost two precious points, but personally I’m very happy to be playing for Napoli again and to finally find the net again,” said Milik to a radio station.

“It won’t be easy for us, especially if Roma win at Pescara tomorrow (Monday) and take their lead over us to four points. But the race for sec- ond isn’t over.”

A week before Napoli travel to an increasingly desperate Inter Milan, now seven points off the Europa League places, he added: “We’re already focusing on winning our next game. We have the quality to do it.”

Had it not been for Milik on Sunday, Napoli’s hopes of a top-two finish would have suffered further. The Pole also deserves credit for patiently biding his time on the bench while Mertens continues to blossom after being pushed into the striker’s role from midfield following Milik’s ligament tear last October.

Milik made his long-awaited return on Feb 19, but has since struggled to impress Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.

Mertens’ 22-goal tally in the league so far has featured several hat-tricks. And while his wife is reportedly pushing for a move away from Naples, reports in England about a possible summer move to the English Premier League are on the increase.

Milik hopes his long-awaited goal gives Sarri a gentle reminder of his prowess. Last September, he quickly helped bitter Napoli fans forget 36-goal hero Higuain by hitting four goals in Napoli’s first four games.

“Everyone knows how I was playing before my injury,” added Milik. “Now, I’m feeling great, better than I did two months ago and I’m ready to play even more. That way I will only get better.

“Obviously I’d like to play more, but it’s up to the coach and I’ll be happy to give it everything in the time he gives me.” — AFP