CHERRIES goalkeeper Adam Federici is set to be sidelined for the rest of the campaign after damaging cartilage in his right knee.

Federici injured the joint during a training session and subsequently underwent surgery to cure the problem.

The Australian stopper last appeared for Cherries in their FA Cup defeat by Millwall last month.

He has played twice in the Premier League this season, recording a clean sheet in Cherries' victory at Stoke on November 19 before featuring in the following week's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Ryan Allsop has been on the bench as understudy to regular number one Artur Boruc for Cherries' past two Premier League games and the 24-year-old will now vie with new teenage signing Aaron Ramsdale for a place in Eddie Howe's matchday squad.

Manager Howe told the club website: “It’s a real blow for us to lose Adam. But, knowing his character, he will dig deep and work hard to get back to fitness.

“As a club, we’ll be there to support him every step of the way.”