PARIS, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Alonso will be out of action for nine months as he undergoes surgery Wednesday for knee injury, said his Saint-Etienne club on Monday.

The 29-year-old suffered ruptured right knee ligaments playing in a friendly last week.

Saint-Etienne, the tenth team in French Ligue 1 last season, has another doubtful for the start of the season as defender Yoann Andreu suffered a serious knee injury in preparations for the new season.