Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri says Victor Osimhen retains his full backing.

Mazzarri insists Osimhen has been carrying the club during a tough season so far. The Nigeria international penned a new deal last week to 2026.

Mazzarri, ahead of facing Monza, said: "I always tend to give credit to the players if you have good championships, you know it. This boy has been tormented since he came back, from start to finish, even when the action isn't there, maybe he felt the pressure because last year he did great things and he's doing it a bit less.

"Then there's the Africa Cup, he had the injury. I tend to excuse them, not because I'm a do-gooder, but because then when he comes back he'll give us a great hand."