Leicester Tigers flanker Tom Croft has been ruled out for six weeks after the recurrence of a knee injury.
The England international missed a big chunk of last season after knee reconstruction and Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has confirmed that Croft will once again need surgery for the problem.
"Crofty won't be fit for next week," Cockerill is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
"He has had a screw taken out of the knee that was irritating the joint. That was yesterday. He is probably six weeks away from playing. It's disappointing for him and us."
Croft has won 38 England caps since making his debut in the Six Nations in 2008.
