Scotland hooker Fraser Brown is facing a race against time to be fit for the autumn internationals, after the Glasgow Warrior underwent ankle surgery.
The 28-year-old will miss a large chunk of the Guinness PRO12 season and his absence is a major blow to new Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.
Brown has become a pivotal player, and featured in all eight of Scotland’s internationals this year – helping them to three wins in the 2017 Six Nations and a famous 24-19 win away in Australia.
Scotland are now ranked sixth in the world and hope to carry their momentum into the November Tests, where they face two-time defending world champions New Zealand, Samoa and Australia.
“Hooker Fraser Brown is not among the players returning, having successfully undergone ankle surgery last week at BMI Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow,” the Warriors said in a statement.
“The 28-year-old is expected to face a recovery period of up to four months.”
There was better news for Warriors and Scotland fans with full-back Stuart Hogg returning to training after he missed the majority of The British & Irish Lions Tour through injury, while Tommy Seymour won’t return until next month after his role in New Zealand.
