A man has been shot in the knee in Sydney's inner-west after objecting to remarks made about his girlfriend.


Police said the man, 21, has told them he was shot in the knee about 9.30pm on Friday while walking with his girlfriend along Victoria Street East in Burwood.


The man says he was shot after objecting to remarks made to his girlfriend, 19, by a group of men.


The men are described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance.


After the shooting, the victim's girlfriend drove him to hospital.


He's expected to have surgery on Saturday.


AAP