Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without the services of Jamie O'Hara for up to six weeks.
The midfielder underwent a hernia operation this week and as a result may not return to the Wolves starting lineup until February.
"Jamie has been complaining of some groin pain for the last couple of months which we have managed conservatively," said the head of Wolves' medical department Steve Kemp. "We were able to manage it with treatment and he was able to play but it got to a stage where a specialist decided that surgery would be needed.
"The decision was taken to have the surgery and get Jamie at 100% rather than continue to try and manage him through it.
"He's had a double hernia repair which was performed yesterday in Manchester and was successful. We hope he will be back in training within four to six weeks time."
The 25-year-old joined Wolves on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer.