A nagging back injury has forced Eric Clapton to cancel two European concerts.

The guitar great was due to perform at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna on Tuesday (11Jun13) and at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyerhalle in Stuttgart the following day (12Jun13), but he has pulled out of both gigs at the last minute to seek medical treatment.

A statement posted on the music legend's website on Tuesday (11Jun13) reads: "Mr. Clapton has injured his back. All other shows will continue as scheduled... He is currently with specialists who will be able to better determine the course of treatment. He was looking forward to these concerts and regrets that he is not to be able to perform for the fans.

"He would like to apologize for any inconveniences these cancellations may cause and would like to thank the fans for their understanding."

Clapton will pick up his European tour at the Koenig-Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany on 14 June (13).