Worcester's South African flanker Dewald Potgieter has been ruled out for three months after undergoing a thigh operation.
Potgieter had only just returned to full training after suffering an injury which prevented his Warriors career from getting off the ground.
The 29-year-old had made only four appearances after joining from Japanese side Yamaha Jubilo in February when he was forced to undergo shoulder surgery.
"It had been four months since a bit of shoulder surgery sidelined me, and I was feeling pretty good and raring to go," Potgieter wrote on his own website.
"Final preparations for our annual training camp in France was taking place, and everything came together nicely, just in time for the start of the season."
But Potgieter said he felt a "ping" in his thigh during a speed session the week before the camp and an MRI scan confirmed a tear in the muscle.
"This latest setback will leave me hanging around for 12 weeks all in all," said Potgieter, a Super Rugby winner with the Bulls in 2009 and 2010 and a six-times capped Springbok.
"Experience tells me to break it (the time) up into more manageable bits - a two-week wait for the dressing to come off, another two weeks for that last bit of healing before I start with strength.
"It will be four more weeks before I can start running again, and the final stint of four weeks to return to full training and games."
Worcester start their second season in the Aviva Premiership against the champions Saracens at Twickenham on September 3.
Source: PA
