Preston's Ched Evans out with 'potentially life-changing' injury

Preston North End has confirmed that their striker, Ched Evans, will miss a significant amount of time due to a serious medical condition caused by repeated high-force contact throughout his career.

An official club statement reads:

"Preston North End can confirm striker Ched Evans will be unavailable for an extended period after developing a serious medical condition.

“The 34-year-old forward is facing potentially life-changing consequences as a result of repeated high-force contact which he has received on a weekly basis throughout his career.

“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."

Surgery is required to address his current symptoms and to prevent further damage.

The club has not provided a potential return date until after the surgery.

Manager Ryan Lowe said:

“He's fine in himself, he's been in and around it and we're trying to keep him bubbly but it's a bit of a sickener isn't it? The most important thing for me, as I've said to him, and I've addressed it with the lads, you get a lump in your throat when you speak about it.

"He's 34 not 24, he's coming to the end of his career albeit he's in a rich vein of form and I think he was disappointed that he can't help the lads between now and the end of the season.

"In terms of that, he's okay, but the news is better than we thought it was because he'll have surgery and there's a good chance he'll wear a Preston North End shirt again. We'll have to wait and see on the surgery and how that goes.

"The most important thing, regardless of whether he puts a shirt on again, is his health, and his health will be fine.”