Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot will miss the start of the new season after receiving the news he will be sidelined for up to five months.
The Scotland international underwent surgery to insert three screws in his foot and shave away part of a bone after an injury was discovered to be worse than first thought.
Twenty-four-year-old Broadfoot will now miss Scotland’s important World Cup qualifiers with Norway – in August – and Macedonia and Holland – both in September – as he recuperates, as well being absent for the start of The Gers’ SPL campaign.
Broadfoot told the Scottish Daily Express: “I have been told I will need to spend the next three months in plaster, then it will be another couple of months after that before I will be back training with the lads.
“It’s a real blow. It was bad enough missing the climax to the title race but now I will be out for the start of next season.
“I will miss some big domestic and Champions League games, as well as Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers. It’s a setback but they say these things make you stronger.”