Jovetić blow for Montenegro and Fiorentina

Montenegro and ACF Fiorentina midfielder Stevan Jovetić could be out of action until February after damaging ligaments in his right knee in training on Tuesday.

The talented 20-year-old playmaker sustained the injury in a challenge with team-mate Mario Bolatti and could now miss his nation's first four UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers, which begin on 3 September at home to Wales. A statement on the Fiorentina website read: "Stevan Jovetić has damaged the cruciate and collateral ligaments in his right knee. The player will undergo surgery in the next few days and will be out of action for around six or seven months."

Montenegro have been drawn in Group G in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012 alongside England, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Wales, and will play four times before mid-October. Jovetić has scored six goals in 13 appearances for his country and was named Montenegrin footballer of the year in 2009. He burst on to the European scene last term with four goals for Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League group stage.