The Toulouse skipper, who has 101 caps for Les Bleus, will be sidelined for at least six weeks after suffering the problem in his sides 22-6 Top 16 defeat to leaders Bourgoin last Saturday.

It means the lock will miss Toulouse's European Cup semi-final clash against Leicester on April 24 while Pelous may even struggle to make his clubs final league game of the season against Auch on May 28.

But Pelous, who has been told he would not need surgery on his knee, admitted he had been fortunate with injuries over the years.

I have been quite well-spared by injuries throughout my career and there are other players who have had far more serious injuries than me, he said.

Of course I am very disappointed not to be able to take part in our European Cup semi-final against Leicester but should I really complain?

There are more serious things in life than missing out on a few rugby matches.
Toulouse have only won 50 per cent of their matches in the absence of their talismanic leader this season but Pelous insists his team-mates can still flourish without him.

No one is indispensable, he added in LEquipe.

Of course I will have to wait a long time to resume competition but there are good players in the Toulouse second row.

There is no need to panic and I will stay as close as possible to the group during my recovery.''