AC Milan Injury Crisis Deepens: Loftus-Cheek Sidelined for At Least Two Weeks with Thigh Tear

FolioPitch.com – 26 October 2026 | AC Milan have been handed yet another setback in what is rapidly becoming a full-blown injury crisis, as the club confirmed that midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be out for at least two weeks after tests revealed a muscle tear in his left thigh. The news means that Milan suffer another injury blow with Loftus-Cheek out for at least 2 weeks, adding to an already lengthy absentee list that is testing the depth of Ruben Amorim’s squad.

According to reports from MilanNews, the former Chelsea man has damaged a medial hamstring muscle, an injury he sustained during the closing stages of Sunday’s 2-0 Serie A victory at Udinese. Loftus-Cheek had come off the bench in the second half and was forced off at the start of stoppage time after feeling a pull in the back of his thigh while sprinting. The club’s medical staff will reassess him in a fortnight, but early indications suggest he will play no part in the upcoming fixtures.

The timing could hardly be worse for Amorim, who is already without eight first-team players. Loftus-Cheek will definitely miss Wednesday’s home league game against Bologna, Saturday’s fiercely anticipated derby against Inter, and the Europa League clash with Ferencváros. His absence leaves a significant hole in midfield, where his physicality and box-to-box energy have been valuable assets.

It is not just Loftus-Cheek who is causing concern. Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila and Diego Moreira are all racing to be fit for the derby after missing the trip to Udine, while Samuel Chukwueze, Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers remain long-term absentees. The fact that Milan suffer another injury blow with Loftus-Cheek out for at least 2 weeks only compounds the selection headaches facing the Portuguese coach.

Despite the mounting absentees, Milan have been remarkably resilient. The Rossoneri are unbeaten in Serie A this season and head into the derby on 18 points following back-to-back league wins. That form has kept them in the upper reaches of the table, but the squad’s depth will be severely tested in the coming weeks.

The international break in mid-November offers a welcome breather and could provide Loftus-Cheek with a chance to return for the fixtures that follow. However, the immediate focus is on navigating a tricky sequence without one of their most experienced midfielders. As Milan suffer another injury blow with Loftus-Cheek out for at least 2 weeks, the club’s medical and coaching staff must find solutions from within a stretched squad.

For Amorim, the challenge is twofold: managing the fitness of those returning and getting the most out of the players available. The derby against Inter will be a particularly stern test of Milan’s resilience, and the absence of Loftus-Cheek’s drive from midfield will be felt.

In conclusion, Milan’s season is at a critical juncture. The latest diagnosis on Loftus-Cheek is a reminder of the fine margins in top-level football, and the club will need every available resource to maintain their unbeaten start. With key players sidelined, the next few weeks could define their campaign, and the hope is that the international break brings some much-needed recovery time.