Loftus-Cheek out for around eight weeks with broken jaw

England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be out for around eight weeks after having surgery on a broken jaw, AC Milan say.

Milan said, external on Monday that Loftus-Cheek had suffered "a significant facial trauma" specifically a "fracture of the alveolar process of the jaw", and that he had been discharged from hospital after a successful operation.

He shared an update on Instagram saying that the worst was behind him.

"A heartfelt thanks to all the medical staff who supported me over these past hours with professionalism and care," he posted. "A special thanks to all the fans for your countless messages of love and support.

"Thanks to my team-mates: we are a team, we are a family."

The 30-year-old was carried off on a stretcher during AC Milan's 1-0 defeat by Parma on Sunday.

He collided with Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi when challenging for a cross early in the Serie A game.

Loftus-Cheek's head and neck were put in a brace before he was taken off.

The midfielder is hoping to make England's squad for the World Cup, which starts in June.

He made his first England appearance in seven years when he came on as a substitute against Wales in October, having been recalled by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Milan are second in the table, 10 points behind rivals Inter Milan, who beat Lecce 2-0 on Saturday to claim their seventh successive league win.

Mariano Troilo scored the winner for Parma in the 80th minute to leave them 12th in the table.