West Ham United can confirm that Luis Boa Morte could be out until 2010 after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee.
The Portugal international was hurt after catching his studs in the turf at the Beijing Workers Stadium 14 minutes into the Hammers' 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday's Barclays Asia Trophy semi-final. Boa Morte will undergo further tests to determine the full extent of the injury when the swelling on his injured knee goes down.
Boa Morte was fitted with a knee brace before being carried from the pitch on a stretcher. The 31-year-old was taken to a city centre hospital by ambulance for treatment, accompanied by physiotherapist Tom Smith.
Having been assessed, the midfielder returned to the team hotel on crutches, where he was welcomed by manager Gianfranco Zola and his team-mates.