CHERRIES midfielder Andrew Surman is unlikely to play again this season.

The 30-year-old limped out of the game at his former club Southampton on Saturday and left St Mary's with his knee in a brace.

Surman twisted the joint as he stretched to reach a ball in the Saints penalty area during the first half.

He came out after the interval but immediately indicated he would be unable to continue and was replaced by Harry Arter.

Speaking at his press conference in the build up to tomorrow's trip to Liverpool, boss Eddie Howe said: "Andrew Surman will definitely be out.

"That is a big blow for us. He has been as consistent as ever for us this season.

"We are not sure how long he will be out for but it possibly could be the rest of the season."

Howe remained coy over the rest of Cherries' team news, saying:"We have a couple of injury concerns which I do not want to go into too much detail about.

"It was a heavy game against Southampton and we suffered a couple of knocks."

Surman's exceptional run of playing in 86 consecutive matches was ended last October when illness forced him to pull out of the home encounter with Tottenham.

He injured his hamstring at Middlesbrough the following week, a setback which saw him sidelined for two months.

Surman also missed the rollercoaster 3-2 victory over West Ham last month, when he served the first suspension of his career after being red-carded at Manchester United.