FLORENCE, Italy -- Fiorentina have been handed a huge blow ahead of the new Serie A campaign after it was confirmed that Stevan Jovetic has damaged knee ligaments in training.

The Montenegro international is expected to be out for around seven months and the talented 20-year-old is set to undergo the surgeon's knife in the coming days.

A statement on the club website read: "Fiorentina announce that Stevan Jovetic has suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament and the external collateral ligament of the knee.

"The footballer needs a surgical operation which will be planned in the next few days.

"It is foreseen it will take between six and seven months for his return to complete competitive activity."