Gloucester prop Carlos Nieto is out for at least six weeks after having shoulder surgery.
Gloucester have been dealt a blow after prop Carlos Nieto was ruled out of the start of the season.Nieto underwent surgery on his right shoulder to correct a cyst that was causing a nerve compression.
The rehabilitation period is between six and eight weeks, meaning that Nieto, newly recruited from Viadana, will not make the start of the Guinness Premiership season.
"We needed to act quickly to avoid any further discomfort," said Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan.
"Carlos should be back training towards the end of the month and we hope to see him in a Gloucester shirt soon."
