Butcher expected to be absent for at least a month (GETTY)

Surrey captain Mark Butcher will undergo knee surgery on Monday and is expected to be out for a month.

Mark Ramprakash will captain the side for the rest of the Twenty20 period.

Butcher, 35, told Surrey's website: "It is incredibly frustrating for me, particularly when I was enjoying a great run of form.

"After the operation today, I'll be doing everything in my power to get back as quickly as I can. But the guys will be in good hands under Ramps."

Butcher's injury flared up during Surrey's LV County Championship with Somerset at Whitgift.

He did not field for Somerset's second innings and also required a runner when he batted the second time round.

Surrey medical staff are due to consult the surgeon after the operation to assess how long the Brown caps will be without Butcher.

It is thought that he will require a minimum of four to five weeks to recover.