Leicester City midfielder Matty James will undergo surgery on Tuesday, after scans confirmed a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament.
Matty, 23, sustained the injury during the first half of last Saturday’s Barclays Premier League victory over Southampton. His rehabilitation period is expected to last between six and nine months.
City manager Nigel Pearson said: “It’s disappointing for Matty, who has been among our most consistent performers in the last three seasons and is an enormously popular member of the squad. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
“Recovering from long-term injury is as much of a mental challenge as it is a physical one and, if the positive attitude Matty has shown this week is anything to go by, we can expect him to come back as strong as ever.
“He has a fantastic work ethic and is a strong character, which will be important for him in the coming months.”
James joined Leicester from Manchester United in the summer of 2012 and has made 99 appearances for the Foxes, including 27 in the Premier League this season.
He was a key component in the City squad that secured promotion to the top flight during 2013/14 and was named the Club’s Young Player of the Year at the end of that season.