Bournemouth captain Simon Francis will miss six to nine months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The 33-year-old full-back suffered the injury in the Boxing Day defeat to Tottenham.
“We are devastated to have lost Simon to a serious knee injury,” manager Eddie Howe told his club’s official website.
“It is a huge blow for us to lose our captain and someone who has performed so well and consistently for the team over a long period of time.”
PA
