Lancaster footballer Scott McTominay to have heart surgery

Scotland and Napoli star Scott McTominay is to undergo corrective heart surgery after been diagnosed with a mild, benign cardiac arrythmia.

The midfielder from Lancaster will have an operation after the condition - which causes minor irregular heartbeats - was flagged up during routine medical tests.

The heart issue is deemed non-serious and posing no significant risk to overall health, but will keep McTominay out of upcoming matches for a few weeks.

"Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation (PFA) in the coming days," said Italian club Napoli in a statement.

McTominay spoke about his heart issue at the Gran Gala Del Calcio, the Italian equivalent of the PFA Awards, on Wednesday night.

"I’m fine, the procedure was something I’d planned to do with the club for quite a while," he said to reporters.

“We’d already talked about it in pre-season. I’ll be out for a few weeks.”

The treatment will involve the 29-year-old receiving pulsed field ablation (PFA), a minimally invasive treatment that uses brief, high-energy electrical pulses to affected areas of the heart.

McTominay has started both of Napoli's matches in Serie A this season and played all three games for Scotland in the recent World Cup. He will miss Scotland's upcoming international Nations League fixtures.

Scott is a former pupil at St Wilfrid's School in Halton and Our Lady's in Lancaster.

Scotland sent a message of support to McTominay, posting on the national team’s official X account: “Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Scott. Hope to see you back in a Scotland shirt soon.”