The Cardiff Blues rugby captain Xavier Rush could be sidelined until Christmas with a knee injury.
The former Auckland and All Black back row forward will undergo surgery in a bid to rectify the problem.
The 31-year-old number eight will be assessed by the Cardiff medical team today to confirm how much of the new season Rush will miss.
Talisman Rush was a key member of the Blues side that qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals last term.
Rush, who also inspired the Blues to runners-up spot in last season's Magners League, missed part of last season with an arm injury.
The Kiwi star has now torn the cartliage off the back of his knee cap and will go under the surgeon's knife next week.
