Preston North End say Ched Evans faces "potentially life-changing consequences" after it was revealed the striker will require surgery.
The 34-year-old former Sheffield United and Fleetwood Town player, who has found the net 16 times for EFL Championship side Preston since joining in 2021, has reportedly developed “a serious medical condition” caused by "repeated high force contact".
A former Wales international, Evans has missed his club’s last two games with a neck injury and hasn’t featured since he scored in their 2-1 win against Rotherham in mid-March. Preston currently sit 10th in England’s second tier.
In an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire, Preston manager Ryan Lowe said the forward had consulted with a team of specialists and admitted feeling incredibly emotional about the situation.
"He's been to see the top specialists and will be having an operation at some point soon. We're going to wait to see how he recovers," said Lowe.
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"We'll do all the right things to get him back on the grass but his health is the most important thing. He's had this for a couple of years where he's felt the effects of the bangs.
"I get a lump in my throat when I think about it, he's 34 not 24, he's coming to the back end of his career but he's in a rich vein of form. He's disappointed he can't help the lads between now and the end of the season.
"He's okay but the news is better than what we thought it was because he will have surgery and there's a good chance he will wear a Preston North End shirt again."
Preston also released their own statement on Wednesday, in which they confirmed Evans would be sidelined for a considerable amount of time even if the surgery is successful.
"All parties are hopeful that Ched will be back playing and scoring in a PNE shirt in the future," the club said.
"More common in American football and rugby players, the condition requires surgery to address his current symptoms and to prevent any further damage from occurring in the future.
“Over the course of the past week, the club have consulted with the country’s leading specialists and are currently working together to finalise arrangements for the surgery.
“Pending a successful surgery, the striker – who has scored nine goals this season – will spend an extended period of time doing rehabilitation work.”
Topics: EFL Championship, Preston North End
George Nash