Injury has struck St Johnstone striker Andy Jackson once again, with the 21-year-old in need of knee surgery.
Having been dogged by illness and fitness troubles for 16 months, the Irish forward is set for another prolonged period on the sidelines.
"Best-case scenario is a three-month absence but it could be five months," manager Derek McInnes told the Perth club's website.
"It's a big blow for a player who has not had his troubles to seek."
Jackson was limited to just 12 appearances last season following an Achilles tendon injury and the recurrence of a bowel complaint he first suffered in April 2008.
He failed to score as St Johnstone won the Division One title and promotion to Scotland's top flight, having netted 18 times the previous season.
"The medical people feel it is better to operate now, solve the problem and start the recovery process rather than take a risk on seeing how things pan out for the next few weeks and then find that an operation is unavoidable," added McInnes.
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