Eden Hazard diagnosed with fractured ankle; could miss 6-8 weeks

The Belgian national team announced Sunday that Chelsea star Eden Hazard will miss the country's upcoming matches after being diagnosed with a fractured right ankle.

Sky Sports reports that the injury will force him out of action for six-to-eight weeks, while Belgian reporter Niels Poissonnier alleges that Hazard could miss up to three months.

In the meantime, the injury will force Hazard - who was named to the PFA Team of the Year following his impressive display during Chelsea's Premier League-winning campaign - to miss a friendly against the Czech Republic on June 5 and Belgium's World Cup qualifying match against Estonia four days later.

Outside of a brief update on Twitter, the Belgian national team did not reveal how Hazard suffered the injury. But Sky Sports reports that Hazard suffered the fracture during Sunday's training session. The report added, "No other player was involved in the incident ..."

The fracture was discovered after undergoing scans on his right ankle.

Chelsea will begin pre-season training later this summer before taking on Arsenal on July 22 during the first of three friendlies in Beijing and Singapore.

Although news of the injury comes as a devastating blow to both club and country, his long-term absence could cool down speculation over a summer transfer following reports linking Hazard with a move to Real Madrid.

Related - Hazard commits to Chelsea: I could end up on the bench at Real Madrid

After taking most of the blame for his poor form during Chelsea's stunning fall from grace during the 2015-16 campaign, Hazard was instrumental in leading the Blues back to the summit of the Premier League with his 16 goals and five assists.