‘This will be the longest I’ve ever been out of the ring,’ he said (Picture: WWE)

WWE star AJ Styles is facing the longest spell of his career on the sidelines after suffering a nasty injury.

The Phenomenal One had to be helped to the back by officials after a nasty fall on Thursday’s live event at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania which has left him with a broken ankle.

Confirming the news on Twitter, Styles noted while he doesn’t need surgery, he will be out of action for a long time.

He tweeted: ‘Just want you guys to know that I’m ok. Broken ankle is what I’m dealing with. No surgery, this just takes some time to recover.

‘This will be the longest I’ve ever been out of the ring. Thanks for the prayers and get well wishes.’

Fans have been quick to send more messages of support after the latest update.

‘Rest well and enjoy time off with your family. You deserve it,’ wrote one follower, while a second added: ‘Over 20 years without a major injury finally caught up. Heal up soon, man.’

And another fan said: ‘ You’re amazing AJ! Take it one day at a time and you’ll be back before you know it’.

It’s not known exactly how long Styles will be away from the ring, but the injury comes just weeks after he reunited with his O.C. teammates Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

He received a rush of support from fans (Picture: Jim Spellman/Getty Images)

The trio – alongside recent recruit Mia Yim – has been embroiled in an on screen rivalry with The Judgment Day members Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley.

With the future of that storyline unclear, Styles also finds himself on the injury shelf just weeks before the 2023 Royal Rumble on January 28.

As well as being the same event which saw the former world champion make his WWE debut in 2016, it also marks the start of the Road to WrestleMania.

According to the NHS, a broken ankle takes at least six to eight weeks to heal – potentially longer – so fans will be hoping Styles can still be part of the huge event in April.

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‘This will be the longest I’ve ever been out of the ring,’ he said.