Middlesbrough skipper Grant Leadbitter will miss the start of the Premier League season after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia problem.

The 30-year-old midfielder has now had an operation, but the problem was more extensive than first thought and he will not now be fit for the start of the new season.

A statement on the club's official website, said: "Grant Leadbitter is set to miss the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season after undergoing surgery earlier this year.

"The Boro skipper had an operation to correct an injury he had been carrying for the last two months of the season and further investigation has shown that the injury is worse than first anticipated."