Loftus-Cheek faces long spell out after surgery

Ruben Loftus-Cheek faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Loftus-Cheek, who had surgery on Thursday evening, suffered the injury during Chelsea’s end-of-season friendly against MLS side New England Revolution.

The England midfielder turned his ankle on a poor pitch during the game in Massachusetts and had to be helped from the pitch.

He is the second Chelsea player to sustain a ruptured Achilles tendon in recent weeks – Callum Hudson-Odoi is recovering from the same problem. Both players had been enjoying runs in the Blues side, having had to wait for chances to impress.

As well as the Europa League final against Arsenal, the injury also rules Loftus-Cheek out of England’s squad for next month’s Nations League finals.

England boss Gareth Southgate was forced to call up a replacement after learning of his injury.

“I went to bed last night and Ruben’s in the squad and playing brilliantly,” Southgate said.

“He misses now a major European final and a brilliant opportunity for us.”