Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra has been ruled out until December after having an operation to resolve a groin injury.
The 21-year-old Senegal international suffered the problem during training before the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.
Sunderland said Diarra had successful surgery on Monday.
Diarra joined the Black Cats from Strasbourg in July in a deal worth a reported club record £30m.
He played in each of Sunderland’s four Premier League games prior to the Villa match, while he also made two appearances for Senegal in September.
Sunderland, who beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final last season to earn promotion to the top flight, are seventh in the Premier League with eight points from their opening five games.
[BBC]