Stoke City midfielder Ben Pearson will miss the start of the Championship season after undergoing hamstring surgery.
The 29-year-old is said to be "undergoing an extended rehabilitation period" after having the "troublesome" injury addressed during the summer.
Stoke head coach Steven Schumacher said it was "unfortunate" and "frustrating" for Pearson, who featured 32 times for the club last season after joining on a permanent deal from Bournemouth following an initial loan stint with the Potters.
"He has been at Clayton Wood [Stoke's training facility] with the physios throughout the summer to try and get himself fit for pre-season," Schumacher told the club website.