Clare defender Pat Vaughan has undergone surgery to repair a long standing hip injury and is preparing for a long road back to fitness.
Vaughan skippered Clare in 2011 but he has been struggling with a hip injury for some time and he decided to undergo surgery to correct the problem.
He is expected to be sidelined for up to three months and as a result he will miss the entire Allianz Hurling League.
Daroch Horan underwent a similar operation shortly before Vaughan and it will be June before the pair are ready to make their returns with Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald hopeful of being able to call on the players for the Munster SHC clash against Waterford.