Hazard to miss start of EPL title defence

Eden Hazard will miss the start of Chelsea's English Premier League defence after ankle surgery ruled him out for at least three months.

Hazard broke his right ankle on Sunday while training with Belgium ahead of a pair of international fixtures.

"Everything went well with my ankle operation, now I start the road to recovery!" Hazard wrote on Twitter from a hospital alongside a picture of his heavily bandaged right ankle. "I will be stronger. Thank you for your support!!"

The English season starts in two months, with Chelsea playing Arsenal in the Community Shield.

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