British & Irish Lion Geoff Parling faces three months on the sidelines after Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill confirmed the lock had a shoulder operation.
Parling started two Tests Down Under against the Qantas Wallabies – including the decisive third Test – as the Lions came away with their first series victory for 16 years.
But the 30-year-old will take an enforced Christmas break after suffering injury in England’s loss to New Zealand last week.
And Cockerill believes the operation was the correct decision as Parling looks to come back fighting fit in 2014.
"After taking medical advice this week, he has had an operation," said Cockerill.
"The prognosis is that he is likely to be out for three months, which is obviously very disappointing for Geoff and also for us with all the other injuries we've had this season.
"We want Geoff to have a trouble-free recovery and to get himself right so he can rejoin the squad later in the season."
