London (AFP) – Bournemouth captain Simon Francis is set to miss the remainder of the season after being ruled out Thursday for six to nine months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

The 33-year-old full-back suffered the injury in the 5-0 loss away to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

“We are devastated to have lost Simon to a serious knee injury,” Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told the club’s 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.”

Despite their heavy defeat by Spurs, Bournemouth are in 11th place and 14 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone heading into their match away to Manchester United on Sunday.