Leicester Tigers lock Louis Deacon has suffered a further injury setback as he faces surgery on a shoulder injury.
The England international was previously sidelined with a hamstring injury and he is now expected to miss the start of the new campaign.
"Louis's hamstring is fine but he has had a problem with his shoulder, which he has had surgery on," head coach Richard Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.
"He will not be fit for the start of the season. It won't be too long after we get under way, but he will miss the start."
Deacon's new injury adds to Cockerill's concerns with Tom Croft, Craig Newby, Ben Woods, Ed Slater, Miles Benjamin and Ben Youngs all currently injured.
