HULL City midfielder Stephen Quinn faces a battle to play any part in the opening month of the season after being ruled out for between "two and four weeks."
Quinn damaged his hamstring in last week's friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig in Germany and scans have confirmed the Tigers' fears that he will miss Sunday's curtain-raiser against Chelsea on Sunday.
City's medical team will monitor the midfielder's progress over the next seven days but, with an international break following the trip to Manchester City on August 31, the start of his season may not come until the home game with Cardiff on September 14.
"It's a little bit more than a strain unfortunately and he knew it as soon as he did it," said first-team coach Keith Bertschin.
"He'll be two, three or four weeks which is very frustrating for him and disappointing for us. He's a whole-hearted player, he's tough so hopefully he'll be back before we know we've missed him."
Quinn will be missed when City begin their season at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Manager Steve Bruce had pencilled him in for a role on the left of a three-man midfield after a series of bright performances in pre-season, but City will not give up hope of seeing the Republic of Ireland international back before the end of the month.
Bertschin added: "If it can be around the Manchester City game then fine but what we don't want is him trying to get back too quickly and risk re-injuring himself.
"It's experience that tells you when you're free of a hamstring injury.
"It was very unfortunate for him. In him trying to avoid a knee injury when falling awkwardly, he actually picked up a problem with his hamstring instead.
"The only thing with hamstring injuries is that you need caution, you can't cheat them. Once you've been given the green light, you still have to be careful."
Quinn's injury has also ruled him out of Ireland's friendly with Wales on Wednesday.
However, Allan McGregor, George Boyd (both Scotland), Robbie Brady, Paul McShane, David Meyler (all Republic of Ireland), Alex Bruce (Northern Ireland) and Ahmed Elmohamady (Egypt) all met up with their national sides yesterday ahead of friendlies on Wednesday.
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