Young Leicestershire all-rounder Shiv Thakor has been ruled out for three months after undergoing surgery on a broken finger earlier this week.
Thakor, 20, broke his finger fielding for England Under-19s during the recent tour of South Africa.
The injury was managed by the national team and was expected to heal naturally, but an operation to re-set the bone was required.
However, the surgery was unsuccessful and a second operation was required this week.
"We are really disappointed that Shiv will not be available for the start of the season but it is important that the injury is sorted out," Leicestershire's director of cricket Phil Whitticase said on the team's official website.
Leicestershire's LV= County Championship Division Two campaign kicks off against Derbyshire at Grace Road on April 6.