26.01.2015 17:35 h

El Shaarawy out for six weeks

Versatile forward Stephan El Shaarawy's bid for a January move away from AC Milan has been scuppered after he was sidelined for at least six weeks on Monday with a fractured foot.

Reports recently claimed El Shaarawy had been tipped for a move to England, and possibly Everton, in a bid to relaunch his career as the fallen Serie A giants continue to struggle in Italy's top flight.

El Shaarawy, who only returned to the Milan fray earlier this season following a lengthy injury lay-off, suffered the injury late in Milan's 3-1 defeat to Lazio on Saturday night.

He underwent medical tests in Amsterdam, which revealed he had "fractured the base of his fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot", according to Milan.

El Shaarawy will have to undergo "conservative treatment", involving wearing a foot support "for around 6 weeks", the statement added.

The latest reverse saw Milan drop to 10th, 23 points behind leaders and champions Juventus.