Ruben Loftus-Cheek was transported to hospital following a frightening collision during AC Milan's Serie A fixture against Parma on Sunday evening.
The England midfielder clashed with the opposing goalkeeper, Edoardo Corvi, as both players contested a cross just minutes into the match.
The 30-year-old was withdrawn after only 11 minutes of play.
Medical staff attended to the former Chelsea man on the pitch, where blood was clearly visible on his face.
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Following initial assessments, he was fitted with a neck brace as a precautionary measure before being carried from the field on a stretcher.
The player remained conscious throughout the incident.
Broadcasters reported that the most significant damage occurred to the midfielder's teeth.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Loftus-Cheek sustained a fracture of the alveolar bone, the section of the skull that anchors teeth in place.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was transported to hospital following a frightening collision
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The injury will require surgery, and the player will face a recovery period spanning several months.
This timeline effectively ends any realistic prospect of the midfielder earning selection for England's World Cup squad travelling to North America this summer.
Reports indicate that at least one tooth was broken during the impact, which occurred when Corvi attempted to punch the ball clear but instead struck Loftus-Cheek's jaw.
Loftus-Cheek has been at the San Siro since departing Chelsea in 2023, having previously represented Crystal Palace and Fulham on loan during his time in London.
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The England midfielder clashed with the opposing goalkeeper
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The midfielder has made 95 appearances for the Italian giants, contributing 13 goals and establishing himself as a regular under manager Massimiliano Allegri.
Despite his move abroad, the 30-year-old received a surprise international recall earlier this season when Thomas Tuchel required cover for injured players.
That call-up ended a near seven-year exile from the national team, with his previous cap coming against the United States in a November 2018 friendly.
His international absence followed a devastating Achilles rupture sustained while playing for Chelsea in a friendly before the 2019 Europa League final.
The player remained conscious throughout the incident
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Speaking in September, Loftus-Cheek reflected on that difficult period: "When I ruptured my Achilles, I was on such a high [before it happened], so after that I had a hard time mentally.
"But I was still young, I still had time to come back, so I wasn't too low."
He added: "You still want to push in club football with the hope of maybe getting a sniff. But I just completely forgot about it and was being a fan of the team instead."
Sunday's defeat dropped Milan 10 points behind city rivals Inter at the summit of Serie A.
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