Black Stars forward Kamaldeen Sulemana is expected to spend up to three months on the sidelines after suffering a second-degree tear to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.

The Atalanta attacker sustained the injury during the Italian club's pre-season friendly against Schalke 04 on Saturday and is now expected to begin rehabilitation with a possible return in November.

The 24-year-old lasted only about 10 minutes of the friendly before being substituted.

He went straight down the tunnel after leaving the pitch, raising immediate concerns about the severity of the problem.

Atalanta confirmed the extent of the injury after further medical examinations.

"Medical examinations carried out on Kamaldeen Sulemana following the injury sustained during the Schalke 04 v Atalanta match have revealed a grade-two medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee. The player will begin his rehabilitation programme tomorrow."

The setback comes at an important stage of preparations for the 2026-27 season and is a significant blow for Atalanta as they plan for the opening months of the campaign.

Sulemana joined Atalanta from Southampton and has made 25 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2025, scoring twice.

He is expected to miss the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which kicks off in September as Ghana is pitted in Group C with The Gambia, Somalia and Ivory Coast.