Gervinho to miss 2017 AFCON with knee injury

The defending champions will be without one of their key players for next year's showpiece in Gabon.

Gervinho has ruptured knee ligaments and will miss the African Nations Cup in January, according to France Football

Gervinho, 29, reportedly ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his left knee while training with Chinese Super League club Hebei Fortune, whom he joined from Roma in January.

The Ivory Coast international, who helped his nation lift the Nations Cup in 2015, has flown to France to undergo further medical examination.

The Nations Cup will be 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.