Mullan signed a new two-year contract at Sixways in 2009

Worcester Warriors' England international prop Matt Mullan will miss the start of the season after dislocating his right shoulder.

The 23-year-old will now undergo surgery and is set to miss three-to-four months of action.

"We are bitterly disappointed for Matt in what was a freak accident during training," said Warriors head coach Richard Hill.

"Clearly he will miss the early part of the season which is a crucial time."

Hill added: "It is a double blow as I had talked to Matt about the vice-captaincy.

Mullan, who is a product of the Warriors academy, made his senior England debut against Italy during the Six Nations last season but missed the end of the campaign with a different shoulder problem.

"The injury was not to the shoulder that ruled him out towards the end of last season and we had hoped it would not require surgical intervention," Hill continued.

"However he has now seen the consultant, following his wedding at the weekend, and will need an operation.

"The club will now do everything we possibly can to ensure he returns to full fitness as soon as possible and we are liaising closely with the England medical team.

"Fortunately our front row resources are a particularly strong area of the squad.

"We have recruited two props during the summer, in Bruce Douglas and Oliver Tomaszczyk, to add extra strength to our front-row options."

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