New Cheltenham Town signing Reuben Reid will undergo a minor knee operation this week.
The former Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers front man felt the injury last Friday and was immediately taken out of training as a precaution.
A subsequent scan detected a problem with the knee and Cheltenham officials have elected to send Reuben for an immediate operation rather than try to manage the injury over a period of time.
"The medical staff tell me the best thing to do is get it sorted out straight away," said manager Michael Duff.
"By doing this we will have Reuben fully functional for the majority of the season. The alternative was to be unsure of when the injury might flare up again.
"We gave him a thorough medical when he signed but in football you never know when injury is going to strike and Reuben is very frustrated to be missing the start of the season.
"We expect him to be back in October and I know he is looking forward to playing against his former clubs."