Preston striker Ched Evans undergoes surgery for medical condition with potential life-altering effects.

Ched Evans, the 34-year-old striker for Preston North End, is facing potential life-altering consequences due to a serious medical condition caused by repeated high force contact. Evans, who has scored 16 times for the EFL Championship side since joining in 2021, will require surgery for his injury. 

He has not played since mid-March when he scored in their 2-1 win against Rotherham, and has missed the club's last two games due to a neck injury. Preston manager Ryan Lowe has revealed that Evans consulted with a team of specialists and is feeling emotional about the situation. Currently, Preston sits in the 10th position in the English second tier.

Lowe expressed his sympathy towards Evans and stated that the club will provide all the support he needs during this difficult time. The club has not disclosed any further details regarding Evans' condition, but his absence will undoubtedly be a huge loss to the team.

Evans, who started his career with Manchester City, has had a tumultuous career that has been marred by controversy. In 2012, he was convicted of rape and sentenced to five years in prison. He maintained his innocence and was released in 2014 after his conviction was overturned. He was later acquitted in a retrial in 2016.

Despite the controversy, Evans has managed to resurrect his career and become a key player for Preston this season. Fans of the club will be hoping for his swift recovery and return to the field.

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

💙 We're all with you, Ched.#pnefc

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) April 5, 2023

"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.

"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.”