The midfielder scored Napoli’s opening goal in a tempestuous 3-1 win over Serie A title rivals Inter Milan on Saturday but pulled up immediately after netting the spot-kick and had to sit out the rest of the match.

“We’ll have a better idea tomorrow, as that’s when his surgery is scheduled, but we don’t know yet exactly how long he will be out for,” Oriali told broadcaster DAZN ahead of the champions’ fixture at Lecce.

“It is going to be three to four months and that is unfortunate, as he had settled in very well.”

De Bruyne, 34, has scored four times since joining Napoli following his departure from Manchester City in the summer, three times from the penalty spot and once with a free kick.

Oriali did have some good news for Napoli fans, as he said that Romelu Lukaku would return to training this week, although he did not specify when the Belgian striker would be ready to play.

Lukaku suffered a thigh injury in a pre-season friendly and is yet to feature in Napoli’s league title defence, which continues at Lecce later on Tuesday.

Napoli lead Serie A on goal difference from Roma, with whom Antonio Conte’s side are locked on 18 points.