Bradford Bulls captain Heath L'Estrange has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
The hooker suffered the problem during Sunday's 23-22 defeat to Catalans Dragons in Super League.
The 28-year-old Australian is expected to undergo an operation on Thursday.
"It's a blow losing Heath at this stage of the season but the injury is not as bad as we thought at the time," Bradford coach Francis Cummins told the club's official website.
"Heath will be fit again to fully start pre-season training when the players report back."
Bradford return to Super League action on Sunday when they make the trip to Castleford Tigers.
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