Crewe Alexandra have been hit by an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Ian Lawlor on the eve of their League Two season opener at Crawley Town.
The 31-year-old Dubliner was forced to miss Saturday's 2-1 Carabao Cup first-round home win over Accrington Stanley.
But, having sat on the bench on Saturday, he has now undergone a hernia operation.
Replacement Tom Booth, who was Crewe's first-choice keeper during the first half of last season, played on Saturday and is expected to continue in goal this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Alex have signed up two of their most promising young players on new contracts.

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