Jermain Defoe set for spell on the sideline after EFL Cup appearance cut short by Chelsea's Ethan Ampadu

The striker had to go off after just 17 minutes, following an firm challenge by the Chelsea defender

Ethan Ampadu makes a challenge on the Bournemouth forward (Getty)

Jermain Defoe faces a spell on the sidelines after having to go off in Bournemouth’s 2-1 League Cup loss to Chelsea with damage to his ankle ligaments, although manager Eddie How did not think the challenge from 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu that caused the problem was a red card.

The striker had to go off after just 17 minutes, following an firm challenge by the Chelsea defender. Harry Arter is also likely to miss Saturday’s match away to Manchester City, having been withdrawn with a calf problem.

“It’s potentially some damage to his ankle ligaments,” Howe said of Defoe. “Harry Arter hurt his calf in the second half, so we are really stretched. He'll be out this weekend.

“Personally, I didn't see the challenge on Defoe as a red card. My gut feeling was a yellow, but obviously we lost Jermain. It's been a bizarre week for us.”

Howe otherwise called the defeat “heartbreaking”. Bournemouth had equalised through Dan Gosling in the 90th minute, only for Alvaro Morata to immediately score the winner.

“It feels heartbreaking, to be honest. The players gave everything to get back into that game. Second half we penned them in with a wave of attacks, scored a great goal.

"I was hoping it would go into extra-time and we'd have a go at winning it. It was bitterly disappointing what happened in those last few moments. The majority of that back-line are experienced – it's too painful to watch the goal again – so I don't think they switched off.”