An ex-Premier League star was rushed to hospital on Sunday ahead of a big game for his club in Serie A.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was expected to start in AC Milan’s visit to second-placed Napoli on Sunday night but he will no longer be taking part.
The former Chelsea midfielder suffered with severed abdominal pains during the night after his side arrived in Naples on Saturday.
He was taken to a nearby hospital where it was confirmed that he had acute appendicitis and required immediate surgery.
Appendicitis can quickly lead to very serious complications and even be fatal if the appendix becomes so inflamed that it bursts.
Loftus-Cheek has only played 12 minutes of Serie A football since December 6 due to a muscular injury.
AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (2nd left) was rushed to hospital in Naples on Sunday
The Englishman only made his return from injury prior to the international break
He made his return in a brief cameo against Como prior to the international break but is now set for another spell on the sidelines.
The Englishman moved to the San Siro from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 and has since contributed 10 goals and three assists in 62 appearances.
Loftus-Cheek was handed his Premier League debut by Jose Mourinho at just 19 years old in 2015, coming on in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
He spent eight years within the senior set-up and made 33 appearances in all competitions during the 2022-23 season, which turned out to be his final campaign at the club.
On June 30 last year, Loftus-Cheek finally made the decision to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more first-team minutes and made the permanent switch to Milan.