New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill will miss his side's upcoming Test series with England due to injury.
The 26-year-old is expected to miss the next three months of action, with the player needing to undergo an operation on a problem sustained to his left hand.
Guptill is unavailable for the Kiwis' final ODI match against England in Auckland on Saturday having missed their defeat to the tourists in Napier on Wednesday, but he could be fit to face them again in the summer.
New Zealand physiotherapist Paul Close said: "We felt it was best to get Martin right for the tour of England in May and June.
"So the next couple of months were seen as the best window to have the surgery."
Guptill made his international Test debut against India in 2009.
