Chelsea and Crystal Palace have reportedly clashed over the rehabilitation trajectory of injured midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The 22-year-old is on a season-long loan at Selhurst Park from Stamford Bridge and made a bright start to his Eagles spell.
However, an ankle injury has left Loftus-Cheek sidelined since late December and there is no sign of an imminent return for the Englishman.
According to The Times, the two clubs disagree over the next step, with Palace adamant that Loftus-Cheek should undergo surgery while Chelsea want to let the injury heal naturally.
The player has been back at his parent club for the last month and is understood to be extremely frustrated, with his World Cup hopes fading by the day.
Loftus-Cheek received his first cap for the national team against Germany in November, where he impressed in a goalless draw at Wembley Stadium.