Cote d’Ivoire captain Gervinho is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing a surgery on ruptured cruciate ligaments.
The Elephants captain will miss the 2017 African Cup of Nations competition in January, and is set to stay away for six months.
Gervinho was hurt during training with his Chinese club Hebei Fortune last month but only underwent surgery in Paris last week.
“The operation was successful but his recovery will be between four to six months which means he is out of the Nations Cup,” an Ivorian Football federation statement said.
The Ivory Coast will be defending their AFCON title at the tournament in Gabon in January.
With Gervinho ruled out, the Elephants will go into the continental tournament without two players that were key in their victory in the last edition, as former captain Yaya Toure announced his retirement from international football last month.
