Moise Kean has been ruled out of Fiorentina’s clash against Lecce on Friday after being rushed to hospital with a concerning head injury — but could return as early as next week according to reports in Italy.

The former Everton and Juventus star was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after going down off the ball during Fiorentina’s late 1-0 defeat against Hellas Verona.

Kean’s collapse came after the striker was involved in a heavy collision — while attempting to win the ball back, he slipped and made contact with the knee of Pawel Dawidowicz before going down and holding his face in clear discomfort.

After receiving more treatment, Kean was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck brace and towards the pitchside ambulance. 

The Italian club took to social media to share an update on his status shortly after his arrival at hospital, much to their fans’ relief. 

Moise Kean was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after going down off the ball during Fiorentina’s late 1-0 defeat against Hellas Verona — but could return as early as next week

The ex-Everton star has, however, been ruled out of Fiorentina’s clash against Lecce on Friday

Players called for medical aid after the Italy star went down for a second time during the match

‘ACF Fiorentina announces that Moise Kean was discharged from the Verona hospital during the night and returned to Florence,’ the club wrote on X.

‘The clinical and diagnostic tests carried out were all negative.’ 

Now, according to Corriere dello Sport, the striker is set to make his return shortly after Friday’s clash with Lecce.

The outlet claims he will be fit enough to make either of the next two fixtures against Panathinaikos in the Europa Conference League on March 6 or Napoli three days later.

The Italian forward joined Fiorentina at the start of the season following spells at Juventus, Everton and Paris Saint-Germain, and has gone on to score 15 goals in Serie A this term. 

Reports in Italy have claimed that the player was conscious after being taken off the field on a stretcher and being escorted to hospital.  

It unfortunately marked the second time that a Fiorentina player collapsed mid-game this season, with Kean’s team-mate Edoardo Bove suffering a cardiac arrest during a match back in September.

Bove, on loan at Fiorentina from Roma, was in attendance for Sunday’s game, and according to reports, the Italy U21 international turned away as the events unfolded on the field. 

Kean was taken to the pitchside ambulance before being escorted to hospital for more tests

Team-mate Edoardo Bove, who suffered a cardiac arrest in December – was in attendance

Reports in Italy claim Kean will be fit enough to make either of Fiorentina’s next two fixtures against Panathinaikos in the Europa Conference League on March 6 or Napoli three days later

Fiorentina went on to lose the match 1-0 after a 95th minute winner for the hosts, but Viola manager insisted the welfare of his forward was of paramount importance in his post-match conference. 

‘I was very worried on the touchline and hope it is nothing serious,’ the head coach said.

‘The player’s health is the most important thing.’

Bove’s future it Italy is unclear after being fitted with an implanted defibrillator following his collapse earlier in the season; Serie A rules prevent any player with one from featuring. 

‘I know that this is a temporary condition. My goal is to return to playing in June,’ Bove said in January. ‘I still have a few (medical) visits to do, the doctors have to cross-reference all of the data.’ 

‘If I decide to keep it, I won’t be able to play in Italy,’ he added. ‘Here, health comes before the individual, I’m not saying that the rule is wrong.

‘Abroad, yes, (it is possible to play) practically everywhere. Football is too important for me, I can’t allow myself to give up like this. I’ll try again, without a shadow of a doubt. I will also see how I am, If I’m afraid, if I don’t feel calm, then everything will change.’