Ivory Coast forward Gervinho will spend the next four to six months on the sideline after rupturing ligaments in his knee, the national federation confirmed on Monday.
Gervinho's injury, suffered while training with Chinese Super League club Hebei Fortune, was reported last month and he was not included on the Ivory Coast's African Nations Cup squad earlier in November.
"The operation was successful but his recovery will be between four to six months," the Ivorian Football Federation said in a statement.
The former Arsenal player will not be able to help his country defend their title when the Nations Cup is staged in Gabon between Jan. 14 and Feb. 5 next year with the holders due to kick off their group stage campaign against Togo on Jan. 16.