Bournemouth have revealed that captain Tommy Elphick could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.

The 28-year-old defender has undergone surgery on the troublesome ankle which has kept him out of action since the end of September and is unlikely to be back until around Christmas.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe told the club's official website: "Tommy has had an operation on his ankle," Eddie Howe said.

"He's facing around ten weeks out. It was innocuous really – he got a kick on the ankle and despite many attempts to come back, it just didn't feel right.

"With further investigation, it was discovered that he needed an operation and he's had it.

"He's two weeks in and the estimate is ten, but it could be shorter than that."

The injury adds to the long-term absence of star striker Callum Wilson but at least Bournemouth have some good news on the injury front with midfielder Harry Arter getting some valuable minutes for the U21s this week.

Howe added: "It was really positive to get Harry back on the pitch.

"He enjoyed the game – every player enjoys playing when they haven't played for so long.

"I think he will need more training time, more game time, that's from my perspective in an ideal world.

"You never know what will happen and you may be forced to put players in before you want to, but, at the moment, it will be another week or so, possibly longer, before he is considered for selection."