Al Sadd have announced that Subait Khater has sustained a serious knee injury in training, and is set to undergo surgery.

The midfielder was injured during the club's pre-season tour of Europe, and underwent emergency surgery on Sunday night.

Khater is expected to be out for several months, and it remains to be seen how his absence will affect Al Sadd's plans for the upcoming season.

The team's manager, Felix Magath, said: "We're all devastated by this news. Subait is a very important player for us, and we'll do everything we can to get him back as soon as possible."

Khater joined Al Sadd from Al Ahly last summer, and made 27 appearances for the club in the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League.

He also scored two goals for the club, and helped them win the league title last season.

The 25-year-old has been a regular starter for Al Sadd in recent years, and his departure could have significant implications for the team's future.

Despite the setback, Al Sadd remain hopeful of making progress in the upcoming season, and hope that Khater will make a full recovery in time to play a key role for the team next year.