England star out for two months with sickening injury that leaves World Cup hopes in tatters

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has suffered a broken jaw following a sickening collision during AC Milan’s 1-0 defeat to Parma on Sunday.

The 30-year-old left the San Siro pitch on a stretcher and was immediately taken to hospital in scary scenes.

Getty

Getty

Just ten minutes were on the clock when the ex-Chelsea midfielder was accidentally whacked in the head by Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi.

Loftus-Cheek was looking to get on the end of a cross, only to be clattered in the face by the onrushing shot-stopper.

The player immediately hit the deck, with cameras showing him with a bloody face as medics immediately rushed to his aid.

He eventually departed on a stretcher, where he could be seen wearing both a neck and head brace.

Loftus-Cheek out for two months

On Monday, AC Milan confirmed Loftus-Cheek had broken his jaw and following successful surgery he will be sidelined for eight weeks.

A club statement read: “AC Milan announce that Ruben Loftus-Cheek suffered a significant facial trauma yesterday, which resulted in a fracture of the alveolar process of the jaw.

“The player was admitted to the Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Clinic department of ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, where today he underwent surgery performed by Dr. Luca Autelitano.

“The operation to reduce and stabilise the fracture was completely successful. Ruben is doing well and has already been discharged. The estimated recovery time is around eight weeks.”

Meanwhile, former Arsenal coach – now Parma boss Carlos Cuesta – was quick to offer his thoughts to Loftus-Cheek in the aftermath of his side’s away victory.

He told Parma’s website: “First of all, I want to wish Loftus-Cheek all the best after what happened today.”

Getty

Loftus-Cheek’s injury will not only keep him out of Milan’s Serie A title tilt, but also throws his potential World Cup spot into doubt.

It was only in November which saw the 2017 Premier League winner recalled back to the Three Lions squad.

Prior to his call-up by ex-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, he hadn’t been part of the England set-up since 2018.

His first international appearance after seven years came against Wales where he came on as a second half substitute for Declan Rice in a 3-0 friendly win.

But he will now miss England’s friendly ties with Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and March 31 respectively.

Those fixtures represent the last two games before Tuchel names his squad for the World Cup this summer.

Getty

Commenting on his quest to force his way into featuring in North America, Loftus-Cheek said: “It’s good to have a goal.

“Whether you focus on that right now, I’m not sure. You have to focus on what you’re doing at your club, it is still a long way.

“And I think for me, first and foremost, is to stay fit, stay healthy, and keep playing well for my club.

“If I do that, I think I’ve got a good chance, and who knows what can happen.

“You always want a dream. It’s in my head, but it’s not the front right now.”

Loftus-Cheek has featured in 27 games in all competitions for Milan this term – chipping in with three goals and one assist.