Ivory Coast captain Gervinho ruled out for six months

Gervinho took over the Ivorian captaincy from Yaya Toure

Ivory Coast captain Gervinho will miss the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and could be out for up to six months after surgery on ruptured cruciate ligaments.

The 29-year-old was hurt in training with his club Hebei Fortune in October and had surgery in Paris last week.

"The operation was successful but his recovery will be between four to six months," said the Ivorian Football Federation.

Ivory Coast will defend their title at the tournament in Gabon in January.