Motherwell have been dealt a major blow with news that defender Calum Butcher will be sidelined at the start of the season and will "miss a number of weeks".
A statement issued by the Fir Park club says that Butcher has undergone surgery on a foot injury he sustained in the 1-1 draw at Livingston in the penultimate game of last season.
The Englishman, who counts Dundee United and Burton Albion amongst his previous clubs, was signed in February and played a key role in Motherwell's reversal of fortunes that saw them secure a seventh-placed Premiership finish.
Butcher, 32, won the coaches' player of the year award at Motherwell. Motherwell said on their website: "Calum Butcher will remain sidelined for the start of the new season and will miss a number of weeks thereafter. "Butcher now faces a spell on the sidelines as he begins his recovery. "We wish Calum well for his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch." Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport onTwitter via@LanLiveSport, like us onFacebookor find us onInstagramfor the latest sports news, pictures and video.