Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s ambitions of making the 2018 World Cup have been dealt another blow after suffering an injury setback in training, reports The Guardian.
The 22-year-old has not featured at all this year after suffering an ankle injury on loan at Crystal Palace after Christmas.
Loftus-Cheek underwent his rehabilitation back at parent club Chelsea and suffered discomfort in his knee on his first training session back from injury earlier this week.
The England international was due to return to Palace this weekend but that has now been delayed as Chelsea wait to discover the extent of his latest problem.
It is not thought that Loftus-Cheek will be out for any considerable period but it certainly comes as a further blow to his hopes of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad this summer.
It will take time for Loftus-Cheek to get back up to speed but that is something he doesn’t have as there are only 10 Premier League matches this season.
Southgate gave Loftus-Cheek his senior England debut in November but the young midfielder is unlikely to be named in the squad for upcoming friendlies against Holland and Italy at the end of this month.
Matches against Holland and Italy are realistically the last chances some of England’s fringe players have of forcing their way into contention for the 2018 World Cup.
Loftus-Cheek has made 16 league appearances for Palace this season, scoring once and providing two assists in that time.
Furthermore, only three Premier League players average more dribbles per game than Loftus-Cheek (3) this season.
