Hull have been dealt a double blow ahead of their return to the Premier League with the news Allan McGregor and Alex Bruce could both be out for up to six months.
Steve Bruce's squad are currently in Portugal as part of their preseason preparations and the Tigers boss confirmed that goalkeeper McGregor and defender Alex Bruce are set for extended spells on the sidelines with respective back and Achilles injuries.
Bruce said the training camp had been good but added: "The one disappointment, of course, has been the loss of McGregor and Alex to injury as we expect them both to be out for up to six months.
"Other than that, the players have come back and all look in good nick."
McGregor, 34, featured on 44 occasions for the club during their Championship campaign last season but it was an injury to his back that forced him to miss the playoffs, which Bruce's side emerged from to clinic promotion.
Defender Alex Bruce was used more sparingly by his father, making just 17 appearances over the season for a club he joined in the summer of 2012.
Alex Bruce wrote on Twitter: "So disappointed to be missing the start of the season, I'm having my Achilles/Heal operated on this Thursday and hopefully that will sort the problem.
"It was painful for large parts of last season, and injections at the end of the season haven't worked therefore surgery is my only option to get the issue fixed. Can't wait to get back 100% fit and pain free."
So disappointed to be missing the start of the season, I'm having my Achilles/Heal operated on this Thursday and hopefully that will sort...
- Alex Bruce (@AlexBruce84) July 11, 2016
Steve Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail: "It's obviously a blow to lose both of them. For Alex and Allan, it's obviously a worry. The way the medical teams have progressed, they'll come back strongly.
"They'll be desperately disappointed because there's nothing worse than trying to go into a new season and pick up injuries like these. I'm sure they'll be back but it's a case of when. It's not a great start, I have to tell you."
Keeper Eldin Jakupovic filled in for the two-legged playoff semi-final triumph over Derby and the win over Sheffield Wednesday in the final at Wembley, though McGregor's extended absence may force Hull into the transfer market.
"The injury to the goalkeeper is a big one," Steve Bruce said.
"You've got to go with three goalkeepers and if Allan is going to be out for four to six months I'm going to have to address that. That isn't healthy."