Warrington Wolves will start the new season without England utility back Stefan Ratchford and two of their new signings, Mitchell Dodds and Ryan Bailey.
Bailey will miss a reunion with his old Rhinos team-mates after being booked in for surgery in London next week to correct a mystery complaint that has dogged him for the past two years.
Warrington coach Tony Smith said: "He's been struggling with what was thought to be an Achilles problem for two years but, when we investigated, it was a muscle that some people grow around their Achilles.
"Not many people have it but he's got it in both legs and he pulled one in training.
"We're getting him operated on early next week and he's out for six to eight weeks which puts him out for the first four rounds."
"He's been in some dark places for the last couple of years," said former Leeds boss Smith. "He didn't cope well with leaving Leeds.
"I've been getting treated for the wrong injury for the last two years," said Bailey at Warrington's pre-season media day.
"That's what's been frustrating, that's why I got so down.
"I'm excited now because, once it's operated on, it's gone away forever. Hopefully I'll only miss four or five games."