Adam Lallana has been ruled out for the next six weeks, after undergoing an operation on his knee.
The midfielder struggled through pre-season with the injury, which flared up during last Saturday’s 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers.
The 22-year-old saw a surgeon yesterday and caretaker boss Dean Wilkins revealed he had gone under the knife.
Wilkins said: “Unfortunately Adam Lallana is now out for six weeks.
“That is a massive blow, because not only is he a fantastically talented individual that scored 20 goals for us last year, he’s a very good player and a very good lad around the place, so that’s a big loss.”