NORTH African giants Algeria’s Afcon hopes have been dealt a blow with news that midfielder Ryad Boudbouz has been ruled out of the 2017 finals with a knee injury.

Algeria are in group B together with the Warriors, Senegal and Tunisia.

The Montpellier midfielder was injured on Saturday when his club lost 2-1 away to Lille in a French Ligue 1 match.

According to the BBC the club is now mulling putting their leading scorer this season under the knife, a move that will see him miss several weeks including the Afcon finals.

“Algeria midfielder Ryad Boudebouz looks set to miss next month's Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon with a knee injury,” wrote the BBC.

“The 26-year-old's French club Montpellier have announced he will be out for several weeks as he needs an operation on the problem.

“The club's leading scorer so far this season with seven goals hurt himself in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Lille.

“Boudebouz will definitely miss Montpellier's final three games of the year.

The Warriors open their Afcon finals campaign with a date against the Algerians on January 15 before taking on Senegal on January 19 in another mouthwatering tie and Tunisia on January 23.