Barclaycard Premiership newcomers Wolves have been dealt a blow with the news that highly-rated centre-half Joleon Lescott could miss the start of the season.
The England Under-21 international, Wanderers' player of the season as they won promotion via the play-offs, has had surgery to both knees to rectify cartilage problems.
Molineux physio Barry Holmes told the club's official website: "Joleon was scheduled for surgery following the play-off final and after a few days to let the knees settle down, he went into the theatre on June 3rd.
"Both operations went by without a hitch and he is in the first stages of rehabilitation and is recovering as well as can be expected.
"But whether or not he will be fit for the start remains to be seen."
Wolves manager Dave Jones failed in a bid to sign AC Milan's Denmark defender Martin Laursen earlier this week and is still waiting to hear whether veteran duo Denis Irwin and Paul Ince intend to continue their playing careers.