The agent of Napoli attacker Lorenzo Insigne has called on referees in Serie A to protect his client against strong challenges.

The Italian international missed the majority of last season with a cruciate ligament injury and he has been unable to completely overcome the problem in the early part of the new campaign.

Antonio Ottaiano refused to directly blame opposing teams, but has called on the officials to give better protection to the 24-year-old.

"I hope these repeated hits to the knee are just a coincidence," Ottaiano told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

"Certainly players like Lorenzo should be protected, it happened to [Roberto] Baggio and [Alessandro] Del Piero too.

"Certain challenges should be punished more harshly, if the leg strikes the knee it can be dangerous. We hope these incidents won't be repeated."

Insigne has scored six times and registered three assists in nine league appearances for Napoli this season.