Steve Bruce has confirmed he will be without Jonjo Shelvey until next month.
Chronicle Live reported on Sunday afternoon in the build-up to the 1-1 draw at Wolves that Shelvey will go under the knife next week to treat a hernia problem.
Bruce paid tribute to Shelvey but when asked about his absence, he said: "It's a sportsman's hernia so we think he might be available after the next international break.
"It's been niggling him which is normal but he hurt it putting a free-kick into the box last week.
"He's going to be operated on in London (on Monday)."
Bruce had to make a late call on goalkeeper Karl Darlow after the former Nottingham Forest stopper made it clear he wanted to play despite coming off worse for wear after a clash with Marcus Rashford in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Bruce said: "I have to take my hat off to him.
"He could hardly walk on Monday or Tuesday and the injury was in a delicate area so fair play to him.
"He put himself on the block and played very well."
There was no doubt that Bruce was delighted with the draw at Wolves, but he warned his players: "We have to defend better than we have done of late, we have to be hard to beat."
