Bordeaux leading scorer out for 4 months

BORDEAUX, France (AP) - Bordeaux top-scorer Cheick Diabate will be out for four months with a knee injury that could derail the club's challenge to qualify for the Champions League.

Bordeaux says the Mali striker, who has eight goals in 15 French league matches this season, has agreed to undergo surgery for the sake of his long-term career.

Willy Sagnol's side lies sixth in the league, just seven points behind third-place Paris Saint-Germain. Sagnol did not say whether he will seek a replacement for Diabate during the transfer window this month.

Diabate's injury also means the striker will miss Mali's Africa Cup of Nations campaign from Jan. 17-Feb. 8.