Flying Fijians flanker Akapusi Qera could be out for as long as nine months after he damaged a medial ligament in his left knee during the IRB Pacific Nations Cup match against Samoa earlier this month.

Qera, has flown back to London to start his rehabilitation under Dean Ryan's staff at Kingsholm.

But the Gloucester openside is confident of making a quick recovery and is now targeting a September return, for the start of the Guinness Premiership season.

Speaking on the Gloucester website, Qera said he is aiming now to be even better for Fiji and Gloucester, after coming third in the player of the year polls, in his first season at the top of the English rugby.