Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson fears that Ruben Loftus-Cheek could miss the World Cup as the midfielder's ankle injury may need surgery.
The 21-year-old England international, who is on loan at Selhurst Park from Chelsea, has not played since the end of last month.
It was initially thought that Loftus-Cheek had only suffered a minor knock but it now appears that the problem is far more serious.
"The injury is more severe than we originally thought, or perhaps hoped, it would be," said Hodgson.
"I would be very disappointed, surgery or no surgery, if he's not playing before the end of the season. We certainly want him to be and I would presume Chelsea would want him to be.
"The only way he can make himself available for Crystal Palace or England is to be fit and at the moment that isn't the case."
Loftus-Cheek made his England debut against Germany at Wembley in November and he also featured in the next match against Brazil.
However, when asked whether Loftus-Cheek was a doubt for the World Cup, Hodgson replied: "I don't know. I don't want to go into that at the moment because we don't know how long it would take after surgery to get him fit again."
Palace are 12th in the Premier League table and can be backed at 1/1 to draw at Arsenal this weekend and 7/1 to keep a clean sheet against the Gunners.
The Eagles are now 4/7 to finish in the top half of the table this season.
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Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson fears that Ruben Loftus-Cheek could miss the World Cup as the midfielder's ankle injury may need surgery.
The 21-year-old England international, who is on loan at Selhurst Park from Chelsea, has not played since the end of last month.
It was initially thought that Loftus-Cheek had only suffered a minor knock but it now appears that the problem is far more serious.
"The injury is more severe than we originally thought, or perhaps hoped, it would be," said Hodgson.
"I would be very disappointed, surgery or no surgery, if he's not playing before the end of the season. We certainly want him to be and I would presume Chelsea would want him to be.
"The only way he can make himself available for Crystal Palace or England is to be fit and at the moment that isn't the case."
Loftus-Cheek made his England debut against Germany at Wembley in November and he also featured in the next match against Brazil.
However, when asked whether Loftus-Cheek was a doubt for the World Cup, Hodgson replied: "I don't know. I don't want to go into that at the moment because we don't know how long it would take after surgery to get him fit again."
Palace are 12th in the Premier League table and can be backed at 1/1 to draw at Arsenal this weekend and 7/1 to keep a clean sheet against the Gunners.
The Eagles are now 4/7 to finish in the top half of the table this season.
Source: bet365.com