Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Beram Kayal is facing at least two months out of action after suffering a broken leg.
The 29-year-old sustained a fractured fibula in Sunday's friendly loss to Atletico Madrid and was sent for an operation on Wednesday.
Manager Chris Hughton says the break was "clean" but he still expects the Israel international to be sidelined until the latter part of October.
"We don't expect any complications, but it's bad news for us and for him," Hughton said.
"The good news is it was a clean injury as such. The operation went very well; we expect him to be out for a period of something like eight to 10 weeks."
Kayal, who arrived from Celtic in January 2015, missed a large part of last season with an ankle problem and has suffered a number of injuries during his career.
Brighton begin their maiden Premier League campaign at home to Manchester City on Saturday.
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
