Paris St Germain defender Zoumana Camara has been ruled out for at least three months with a calf injury.

The centre-back will definitely miss the start of the new Ligue 1 season and may not even return before November.

"It is a bad surprise," said PSG team doctor Eric Rolland.

"The treatment is restrictive and long. He can run but will not be back to collective training for three months."

Camara is the capital club's chief centre-back and has been a rock in their defence since joining from St Etienne in the summer of 2007.

PSG coach Antoine Kombouare said: "It is a very tough blow because he is an important element I am counting on. But I am especially sad for him."

Mamadou Sakho, Sammy Traore and Gregory Bourillon are the three other centre-backs Kombouare should use in Camara's absence.