Football: Chelsea's Eden Hazard out for 3 months after ankle surgery, will miss ICC Singapore

Belgium's player Eden Hazard leaves a training session ahead of their friendly match against Czech Republic. PHOTO: REUTERS

London (AFP) - Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard is likely to miss the beginning of next season as the Premier League champions announced on Monday he is sidelined for three months after undergoing ankle surgery.

The Belgium international fractured his ankle training with his national team ahead of the friendly with the Czech Republic and the 2018 World Cup qualifier with Estonia on Friday.

"Eden Hazard successfully underwent surgery today after sustaining a fracture to his right ankle while training with the Belgian national team," read a statement on the club website.

"He is expected to return to training in approximately three months."

The 26-year-old was a driving force in Chelsea's title win.

The Premier League season gets underway on August 12.

Chelsea will be visiting Singapore to play at the International Champions Cup (ICC) from July 25-29 at the National Stadium against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, and the long-term injury means Hazard will not be among the star names local fans are hoping to see.

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