FRINGE Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has suffered a serious knee injury and faces up to nine months on the sidelines.

News Corp Australia understands the former Test batsman snapped his anterior cruciate ligament at Sydney Thunder training on Tuesday night.

The injury is more commonly seen in rugby league, with former Test skipper Darren Lockyer rupturing his ACL in 2007. Lockyer rated it as the toughest injury he has ever had to come back from.

media_camera Usman Khawaja was just days away from starting another season with Sydney Thunder.

The Thunder are meeting on Wednesday about the situation but they may not name a replacement in their squad.

It is terrible news for Khawaja, 27, who was planning to press his claims for a national recall this summer. It is also a major blow for the Thunder and for Queensland Bulls.