Chelsea have confirmed that defender Antonio Rudiger will not play again this season because of a knee injury.
The Blues confirmed on Wednesday that the German centre half had undergone successful surgery on his left knee meniscus, but would miss the remainder of this campaign, as well as the start of next.
Rudiger was forced off shortly after the hour mark in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
He had only just returned to the side after missing the 2-2 draw with Burnley because of a similar injury sustained in the meeting with Liverpool earlier in the month.
The news will be a big blow to Maurizio Sarri’s side as they attempt to secure a top four finish, with games against Watford and Leicester still to come in the Premier League.
Rudiger will also miss the rest of Chelsea’s Europa League campaign, which continues with the first leg of their semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
