Gareth McAuley's club West Brom have revealed the defender will miss Northern Ireland's World Cup qualification double-header in September.
The 37-year-old has not featured in pre-season with a thigh injury he was struggling with at the end of last term, one which forced him off just 25 minutes into his country's win over Azerbaijan in Baku two months ago.
It was hoped he would be fit enough to make the start of the Premier League season but Baggies boss Tony Pulis has confirmed that he remains out.
And a report on Albion's website also claims the player "will not be available" for Northern Ireland's fixtures with San Marino and Czech Republic at the start of September.