Scotland lock Jim Hamilton is poised to miss the start of the Celtic League season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder.
The giant forward joined Edinburgh from Leicester in the summer and is a key part of head coach Andy Robinson's plans for the new campaign.
But the second-rower has had a small operation on his shoulder which, while successful, is set to keep him out of the Celtic League opener against Munster.
Hamilton will be eager to prove his fitness and form to Scotland coach Frank Hadden ahead of the autumn internationals against the Springboks and All Blacks.
Robinson said: "Jim had problems with his shoulder and is having rehab work on it. He missed our game against Wasps and will also be out of the one against Bath as well as the start of the league.
"It is difficult to know how long he will be out for but he will be back taking contact on the pitch in the next couple of weeks."