AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been rushed to hospital for emergency appendix surgery, ruling him out of the club’s crucial Serie A fixture against Napoli this evening. The England international, who had been expected to return to the starting line-up for the first time in months, fell ill overnight and was taken in for urgent medical attention, according to reports from Football Italia via The Sun.

Milan, currently fighting to strengthen their position in the league, travelled to Naples with high hopes of securing a vital victory against the second-placed side. Loftus-Cheek was set to feature alongside Warren Bondo and Tijjani Reijnders in the Rossoneri’s midfield, but his sudden hospitalisation has forced manager Stefano Pioli into a last-minute tactical reshuffle.

The former Chelsea and Crystal Palace midfielder has been a key figure for Milan when fit, and his absence will be a significant blow as they face Antonio Conte’s well-drilled Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Loftus-Cheek Diagnosed with Acute Appendicitis After Severe Abdominal Pain

According to reports, Loftus-Cheek, 29, began experiencing severe abdominal pain overnight and was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Medical staff acted immediately, performing emergency surgery to prevent further complications. Appendicitis can be life-threatening if left untreated, as the appendix may rupture, leading to a dangerous infection.

With Loftus-Cheek and Yunus Musah both unavailable for the fixture, Sky Sports Italia has reported that Youssouf Fofana is expected to be drafted into the starting XI.

This latest setback comes just as Loftus-Cheek was preparing to make his first start since November, having finally recovered from a long-standing muscle injury. The midfielder had been working towards full match fitness, and this unfortunate turn of events will further delay his return to action.

A Season Plagued by Setbacks for Loftus-Cheek

The timing of this incident is particularly frustrating for Loftus-Cheek, who had been gradually reintegrating into Milan’s squad. His last significant contribution came in AC Milan’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Rennes, where he scored twice—becoming the first Milan player to net a brace in a European knockout match since Kaká in 2007.

Prior to his latest health scare, the powerful midfielder had also featured in Milan’s clash against Cesc Fàbregas’ Como 1907, coming off the bench in the 78th minute. That match saw a dramatic moment involving Dele Alli, who was sent off after a late challenge on Loftus-Cheek. Following the game, Alli shared a post-match WhatsApp exchange in which Loftus-Cheek admitted he stayed on the ground because he was "blowing"—a football term referring to exhaustion.

Despite these setbacks, Milan remain optimistic about Loftus-Cheek’s recovery and eventual return to full fitness. For now, the Rossoneri will have to navigate their season without him as he focuses on his post-surgery rehabilitation.