Ghana suffered a massive blow for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as key player Andre Ayew has been ruled out for FOUR MONTHS meaning he will be absent for the crucial clashes against Congo and Egypt.

The news comes as a massive setback for the Black Stars and his English club West Ham United following the thigh injury on Monday.

With doctors ruling out the playmaker for four months it means he will only return to action in December after the two matches have been played in the qualifiers for the tournament in Russia.

Ghana will open their World Cup group qualifiers in their home clash against Congo on October before travelling to Cairo the following month to face the in-form Egyptians.

Ayew will also miss the final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda to be played in Accra next month.

The £20m signing was taken off early on in his West Ham debut on Monday night in their match against Chelsea after hurting his thigh while sprinting.

And Jack Sullivan, the son of West Ham owner David Sullivan, tweeted that the Ghana international will be out for four months.

He said: “We are devastated that Ayew will be out for about 4 months. He needs a surgery.”

Earlier today West Ham coach Slaven Bilic said: "We will wait to get the results on Andre and hopefully it is not that bad.

"It will be weeks and not days unfortunately.

Ayew was heartbroken to be leaving the pitch as he was being substituted and now his misery compounded with the revelation from his coach Slaven Bilic.

Ghana desperately need to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and the absence of Andre Ayew will badly hurt their chances as he is one of their few top players.