Ivory Coast has suffered a major blow ahead of the AFCON 2019, with news that defender Eric Bailly will miss the tournament.

Bailly was pushed off on Sunday evening during their 1-1 draw against Chelsea in an English Premier League match and left Old Trafford in crutches with his leg in a brace. 

Scans done on Monday confirmed he suffered medial ligament damage, technically ending his season for United. 

This latest setback comes as a huge blow to the Ivorian, who has endured a season full of injuries, which have curtailed his development in England. 

The ‘Elephants’ of Ivory Coast are in what is considered ‘group of death’ in the AFCON, after being grouped with Morocco, South Africa and Namibia. 

They last won the tournament in 2015, after beating Ghana in the finals and are looking for winning this year’s title in Egypt.