Wigan defender Gary Caldwell will miss the start of the season - and up to five Scotland matches - due to double hip surgery.
Caldwell last week underwent an operation on his left hip and will return in two months for the same procedure on his right hip.
The 28-year-old will definitely miss Scotland's opening two Euro 2012 campaign openers and possibly two more.
Former Celtic defender Caldwell told the News of the World: "Experts say I'll be out for between three and five months.
"Hopefully, the right hip won't be as bad as the left hip and I can push towards being out for just three months.
"It all depends on how quickly my body heals. I will definitely miss the start of the season with Wigan as well as Scotland's friendly against Sweden in August.
"I'll also miss our opening two European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein at the start of September.
"It will be touch and go for our next double header away to the Czech Republic and at home to Spain in October.
"I'm hoping to be back playing for Wigan by then, so who knows? If I hit the ground running I might just be in contention for those crucial two qualifiers.
"It's not an ideal start to the new season but I thought it was better to get the work done during the summer so I could finally put my hip problems behind me after a frustrating year."
Source: PA
