Tyrone Mings has conceded that he is unlikely to be fit in time for the start of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign.
The defender has been sidelined since August 2015 when he suffered a knee ligament injury just six minutes into his Bournemouth debut.
There had been suggestions that the 23-year-old would recover to take a full part in pre-season training, but he has now revealed that a "little setback" has delayed his return.
"I've had a little setback and had another operation on my medial ligament just to remove some of the pins that were rubbing on it," he told Sky Sports News.
"I'll probably miss the first stages of pre-season, and if I am involved in pre-season it will probably be modified. I don't think I'll be joining in fully because of what has happened now.
"I'll be looking to get back as early as possible and as early into the season as possible."
Mings joined the Cherries from Ipswich Town in an £8m deal last summer.
Liam Apicella
