However, the 25-year-old is expected to be back in action in time for the start of the Magners League campaign early next month.

De Luca will be treated by the Manchester sports surgeon Ian MacLennan, who has performed similar surgery on Edinburgh team-mates John Houston, Mark Robertson and Ryan Grant.

Edinburgh physiotherapist Torgny Johansson said: “Nick will have a repair of a lower abdomen tear.

“It’s an operation where we aim to get the player back available for selection in around four weeks.”

De Luca, who has won 11 caps for Scotland, feels the operation is important for his fitness levels, despite causing little restriction to his pre-season training.

He said: “I’ve been doing a lot of speed training, weight training and fitness on the bike but just at the top end of acceleration it starts to hurt and this surgery should mean I’m able to run at 100%.”

Should De Luca’s recovery go to plan he will be challenging for a place in the Edinburgh team for their opening Magners League match of the season away to Cardiff Blues on September 4.