Spanish side Sevilla have been rocked by the news that Ivorian striker Arouna Kone is set to miss most of next season with a serious knee injury.

The 24-year old player sustained a cross ligament rupture on international duty with Ivory Coast while playing against Guinea 2-1 last Wednesday.

A hospital in Paris confirmed that it is a "triad" injury of ligament, cartilage and meniscus damage.

Sevilla’s doctors will make further tests on the player and then they will plan a period of operation and recovery.

The first diagnosis have confirmed that he will be ruled out for at least six months and won’t resume action before the end of the season.

Reports in Spain and England have suggested that Kone’s injury will reduce Fredrik Kanoute’s chances of moving back to the Premier League.