Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd expects to be without Vaea Fifita for the first month of their Super Rugby title defence.
The All Blacks tourist has been cleared of a broken leg, but still damaged ligaments in his ankle in his side's semi-final loss to the Crusaders at the Brisbane Tens.
Fifita fell heavily from a lineout, with the Hurricanes initally fearing he had sufferred a broken leg.
However, Boyd says it's far less serious than first feared, and believes Fifita will be able to return after their week five bye.
While the injury is a blow, Boyd says he's learnt to accept there are always going to be injuries in pre-season and at training.
