AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has reassured supporters that he is on the road to recovery after a frightening collision during the 1-0 defeat to Parma.
The 30-year-old midfielder was injured when he challenged for a cross and collided with Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi.
Loftus-Cheek was fitted with a head and neck brace and received lengthy treatment on the pitch before being taken to the hospital.
Early reports confirmed he had suffered a fractured jaw and lost several teeth in the incident. In the hours that followed, Loftus-Cheek took to Instagram to update fans.
He posted a photo showing the visible damage to his lip and teeth, along with a message of gratitude and determination to come back stronger.
“It was a tough blow, but the worst is behind me,” the former Chelsea midfielder wrote in a post on his Instagram account.
“A heartfelt thanks to all the medical staff who supported me over these past hours with professionalism and care. A special thanks to all the fans for your countless messages of love and support.
“Thanks to my teammates. We are a team, we are a family. Now, forward towards our goals, strong and united, together.”
Milan also confirmed the extent of Loftus-Cheek’s injury on their official website.
They confirmed that the England international suffered ‘significant facial trauma’, which resulted in a ‘fracture of the alveolar process of the jaw’.
Loftus-Cheek has since undergone successful surgery and will now be out for around eight weeks.
While the worst of the injury may be over, this latest setback could affect Loftus-Cheek’s chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.
If he misses out, it’ll be a massive blow for the midfielder who had only just started working his way back into the team after being out of the loop for more than seven years.
