Bolassie's will undergo a knee surgery following an injury in the 68th minute of Everton's 1-1 English Premier League draw against Manchester United at Goodison Park. He is expected to be out for at least six months.

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The 27-year-old joined Everton from Crystal Palace in a £25m deal in August, and has since been ever present for the Toffees.

DR Congo, two-time champions of the Afcon, are in Group C of the 2017 edition alongside the Ivory Coast, Morocco and Togo.

They open their campaign against the Moroccans in Oyem on January 16.