Premier League newcomers Norwich City will be without defender Christoph Zimmermann for the start of the season.

The 26-year-old will miss the next four to six weeks following knee surgery.

Norwich has confirmed he "sustained a medial meniscus tear in his left knee during the off-season", and went under the knife last week.

A statement on the club websites read: "Norwich City can confirm that centre-back Christoph Zimmermann will miss the next 4-6 weeks of action after undergoing knee surgery.

"Zimmermann sustained a medial meniscus tear in his left knee during the off-season and had surgery in London last week.

"He is now back at the Colney Training Centre and working hard to get back to full fitness as soon as possible."

Zimmerman, who played a key role in their promotion from the SkyBet Championship, signed a new four-year deal at Carrow Road yesterday.

“I am very thankful to the Club for offering me the opportunity to extend my contract and to sign a new deal.

“I think from when I started, I never made a secret of what the people, Club and the whole region means to me and how my feelings are for everything we are doing here so for that of course, I am really pleased and happy to have four more years with Norwich City.”

“There is lots of excitement about the new season and we are really happy to be in the Premier League.

“But also we need to take responsibility and enjoy the games to get the right results and enough points to reach our goals.”