Preston striker Ched Evans has confirmed he has undergone successful surgery for what the club described as “a serious medical condition”.

The 34-year-old revealed in April that he had developed a condition which could have “potentially life-changing consequences”.

Evans revealed on North End’s website that surgery had gone well and that he expects to return to action next season.

“I’m five weeks post-surgery and the surgery went really well,” he said.

“It took three hours. They went in through my throat, they removed some bone and some plates which were compressing my spinal cord, but the surgery went really well.

“I met with the surgeon last week and he was really pleased with how I’m recovering.

“He said once the bone has fused to the cages that my neck will be as strong as ever, which was the best news we could have wished for.

“It also means that I’ll be back next season doing what I love to do: scoring goals and winning games with Preston.”

Luton have confirmed that captain Tom Lockyer will leave hospital this week and is set to be available for pre-season training.

The 28-year-old fell to the floor during their Championship play-off final against Coventry on Saturday and was taken to hospital after being carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

Welsh international Lockyer has since undergone tests at the Cavendish Clinic in London and the club confirmed he will be able to join their preparations for Premier League football next season.

Leeds defender Charlie Crew has won his first Wales Under-21 call-up for next month’s opening 2025 European Championship qualifier against Denmark.

Crew captained Wales at the U17 European Championship in Hungary earlier this month. He does not turn 17 until next month.

Wales U21 boss Matty Jones has selected a 24-man squad for the Denmark opener in Vejle on June 20.

Cardiff winger Rubin Colwill is the most experienced player in the squad with eight senior caps.

Evan Watts, Jay Williams, Harry Leeson, Cameron Congreve and Ben Lloyd have also been called up for the first time alongside Crew.

Wales U21 squad: E Beach (Chelsea), C Tyler (Coventry), E Watts (Swansea), J Williams (Fulham), M Baker (Stoke), L Hoole (Bristol Rovers), Z Ashworth (West Brom), O Beck (Liverpool), F Stevens (Brentford), H Leeson (Bristol City), E King (Cardiff), O Hesketh (Wolves), J Cotterill (Swansea), C Savage (Man Utd), O Hammond (Nottingham Forest), J Raymond (Crystal Palace), B Lloyd (Swansea), C Crew (Leeds), C Congreve (Swansea), R Colwill (Cardiff), P Jones (Huddersfield), J Thomas (Swansea), J Farrell (Villanovense), J Taylor (Luton).