The Hurricanes look likely to be without Karl Lowe for the early part of the Super Rugby season.
The openside flanker injured his knee during a wrestling session in training and requires surgery.
"He's having to have an operation so that could be four-to-six weeks (out)," said coach Mark Hammett. "We'll get a better idea once he comes out of (surgery)."
The Hurricanes start their campaign with a three-week road trip to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Perth to play the Stormers, Lions and Western Force respectively and if Lowe is out for six weeks it seems unlikely he will be available until the Hurricanes' first home match, against the Highlanders on March 17.
It is a bitter blow for the Hawke's Bay forward who missed the entire Super Rugby season last year after tearing his cruciate ligament in a provincial game against Counties Manukau in October 2010.
Jack Lam stepped into the openside role last year in Lowe's absence and is the obvious choice to do so again after his performances in 2011 earned him the Hurricanes' Rookie of the Year award.
New signing, first five-eighths Tusi Pisi, is also not expected back from Japan until after the opening three weeks of the season as his Suntory club contest the Top League finals series.
But second five-eighths Tim Bateman, who is currently playing for Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, is expected to return from Japan in time for the start of the season, while captain Conrad Smith rejoins his team-mates next week.
Hammett is confident Bateman and Pisi will settle in quickly and without causing too much disruption to a squad that has been in training since early December.
"We're in contact with them weekly. We've been watching their games and their football and we've sent over all our detail," the coach explained.
"We video all our training so they get a pretty good idea of what we're doing.
"Of course there will be a settling in phase but they are pretty smart guys. In the positions they play in they've got to be so picking up the content won't be a problem."
Pisi's late arrival means Daniel Kirkpatrick and Beauden Barrett will be vying for the No.10 jersey and will get to push their claims in the upcoming pre-season games against the Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs.
Hammett gave little away about who had the early inside running, although Kirkpatrick's previous Super Rugby experience could work in his favour.
"That's what pre-season is about. It's about building combinations. It's about who is going to take the first opportunity," said Hammett.
"Who starts the season doesn't always finish the season. That's one of the exciting parts of pre-season, to see who can drive our plan."