England prop Nathan Catt will miss the start of Bath Rugby's season after undergoing neck surgery over the summer.
George Ford is back to full fitness following his shoulder operation, however, and the fly-half will join the rest of the Bath squad on a pre-season training trip to Portugal at the end of the week.
Catt was part of Stuart Lancaster's Red Rose squad to tour New Zealand in June.
He did not feature in England's 3-0 Test series defeat to the All Blacks but earned his first senior international appearance against the Crusaders.
But the 26-year- old loosehead was quickly sent to the operating table on his return home.
Bath head coach Mike Ford allayed fears of any long- term damage but revealed Catt has been ruled out of their early Aviva Premiership fixtures.
Academy flanker Will Skuse has also had surgery on a hip complaint and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Head coach Ford said: "We have had a couple of injuries and Nathan Catt and Will Skuse have had to have operations.
"With Nathan it was on his neck but it's not as serious as that sounds. He will miss the first few weeks of the season but it shouldn't be more than that.
"But with Will it was a hip problem and is going to be longer term.
"We think it could be up to six months which is a real shame for him but thankfully he's still a young player with a bright future."
Ford had surgery just a week after Bath's 2013-14 season ended in late May.
He damaged his shoulder in the final game of the Premiership regular season at Harlequins and carried the problem through Bath's Amlin Cup final defeat to Northampton Saints.
The 21-year-old, who earned his first two England caps in this year's RBS 6 Nations, has worked extensively throughout the off season to be fit for next month's friendlies at home to Scarlets and away to Jersey.
Flanker Matt Garvey and Ross Batty are also recovering well after finishing last season with ankle and shoulder injuries respectively.
Head coach Ford said: "George's operation went really well and he will be ready to play in the pre-games.
"In the four weeks off he had his operation in the first and was then in a hyperbaric chamber to increase his oxygen levels and help speed up his recovery.
"He's like new and eager to get back going again.
"Matt Garvey is back with us and Ross Batty is throwing again, so they've come on really well."
The trio are set to travel with the rest of the Bath squad on Sunday as they sharpen their summer training programme with an eight-day camp in Portugal.
Last year they travelled to famous Olympic Training Centre in Spala, Poland for an intense strength and conditioning course.
"It proved to be a very worthwhile trip last year and it'll be the same sort of thing this time," added Ford.
"[High performance manager] Allan Ryan is still in charge. He's done some great work with the players. We'll get them back fully once we're back from Portugal."
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