SOFIA (Reuters) -- CSKA Sofia striker Stoiko Sakaliev will miss the rest of the season after knee surgery in Germany.

"It is devastating. I am going to miss such a long time," Sakaliev told the local Meridian newspaper. The 26-year-old has scored 10 league goals this season and is the team's top scorer.

CSKA recently signed Portuguese striker Jose Furtado from Vihren Sandanski and he is expected to step in.

Champions CSKA Sofia have 40 points from 14 matches and lead the 15-team Bulgarian premier league by seven points from city rivals Levski Sofia.

Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.