Friday 17 May 2019 15:03, UK
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has undergone successful surgery on his Achilles tendon injury.
The 23-year-old suffered the injury during Wednesday's post-season friendly against MLS side New England Revolution.
Chelsea confirmed his operation was successful and that the midfielder would miss both the Europa League final against Arsenal on May 29, as well as England's campaign at the Nations League finals in June.
A statement from the club read: "Ruben successfully underwent surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon last night. He will miss the UEFA Europa League final and England's campaign at the Nations League finals and will spend the summer undergoing rehabilitation in order to resume full training as soon as possible."
Loftus-Cheek admitted he was feeling both "confusion and sadness" following the setback but vowed to come back stronger in a message to Chelsea fans.
"Difficult to describe how I'm feeling right now. More confusion than sadness," he posted on Twitter.
"My surgery went very well yesterday evening so I'm off to a good start! I'll be watching and supporting from the sidelines for a little while so I wish the boys all the luck in the Europa League final and of course the Nations League finals.
"Coming back strong from an injury is something I've had to do all my life and I'll do it again."
England manager Gareth Southgate was forced to drop Loftus-Cheek from his preliminary 27-man squad for the Nations League finals in Portugal next month.
Southgate said the timing of the injury is "very unfortunate" because Loftus-Cheek - and his Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi, who suffered the same injury in April - would "definitely" have been included in his squad.
