Khan took 16 wickets in nine ICC Trophy games for Denmark in 2001

The 26-year-old, who was born in Denmark and played nine times for them in the ICC Trophy, became eligible to play for England in December 2006.

He was due to tour Bangladesh with the A team this winter but is now expected to be sidelined for nine months. "It's cruel timing," a Kent spokesman said.

Khan made his Kent debut in 2002 and took 63 wickets in his maiden season.

Monitoring Khan's recuperation will be the England and Wales Cricket Board's science and medicine manager Simon Timson.

"ECB and Kent medical personnel have been working closely together to ensure that Amjad receives the best medical care and will continue to do so to ensure that he receives the best possible support through his rehabilitation," he said.

Khan was Kent's leading wicket-taker in the 2006 Championship, claiming 34 scalps at a cost of 30.41 each.

"Losing Amjad for 2007 is a significant blow for the county but we must now focus our attention on working hard with Amjad on his rehabilitation so that he can return to full form and fitness as soon as possible," chief executive Paul Millman said.