Norwich City have been dealt a blow on the eve of their return to the Premier League.
The Canaries have learnt that newly-acquired midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering a fractured metatarsal.
The 28-year-old DR Congo international joined Norwich on a free transfer after leaving West Bromwich Albion earlier this summer but will now miss the start of the new campaign which kicks off at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Canaries boss Alex Neil told the club's official website: “Unfortunately, Youssouf has a fractured metatarsal which requires immediate surgery.
"We anticipate his recovery should take several weeks and this is something we will be able to assess further after the operation has taken place."
While Mulumbu added the following on Twitter after undergoing successful surgery on Monday evening:
Thank you for your support and your http://t.co/4meaMw945g went real well, and I will be back on the field stronger pic.twitter.com/tPFLXFCDeH
— Youssouf Mulumbu (@mulumbuofficial) August 3, 2015