BOSS Scott Parker revealed midfielder Joe Rothwell would miss the start of the season and was awaiting further scans on a quad injury.

Signed by the Dorset club on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers this summer, the former Manchester United youngster picked up the problem in the latter stages of last week’s 1-0 defeat to Bristol City.

He was absent for today’s 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad and is set for further examinations.

Speaking to the Daily Echo about Rothwell, Parker said: “In the last game late on, he did a sprint and just felt a little something in his quad. He won’t be ready for the start of the season.

“It wasn’t as bad on scan as maybe we initially thought. We are going to scan him in a week’s time to see exactly where it is but he will be missing at the start of the season.”

The boss also revealed full-back Ryan Fredericks was set to miss next weekend’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Aston Villa (3pm).

“Ryan Fredericks is on the grass again. Again next weekend comes a bit too quick for him but he is on the right track.”