Swansea rocked by Pratley injury

Darren Pratley is a key part of Swansea's midfield

Swansea City will be without Darren Pratley for the start of their Championship campaign due to injury.

The midfielder has suffered a recurrence of a shoulder problem and is set to have an operation on Monday.

A two-month spell of rehabilitation is likely to be needed afterwards, which would rule the 24-year-old out of the first five weeks of action.

"I felt it a little bit in training, I went to see a surgeon... and he said I needed an operation," Pratley said.

"I'm going to be out for eight weeks so it's just about timing, whether I get it done now or wait till it goes during the season.

"I think the best option is to get it done now so I miss five weeks of the season and then come back fresh."

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Pratley's shoulder problems started with a dislocation at the end of the 2007 season and struck again last term.

The midfield dynamo, a £100,000 bargain buy from Fulham in 2006, hurt the AC joint in his shoulder last January during a 4-1 home win over Preston.

The injury was expected to keep Pratley sidelined for up to 10 weeks but he returned to action after surgery in half that time.

"Coming back early last year and not getting it done in the summer has had an effect and obviously I'm gutted."