Last updated on .From the section Football

Swansea City midfielder Leon Britton is to have a double hernia operation but expects be ready to start pre-season training in July.

The 30-year-old had been hampered by the problem in his groin for the final two months of the season.

Britton, who made 33 Premier League appearances last season, will travel to Germany on 2 June to have the surgery.

"My groin has felt quiet tight, but I wanted to play through the pain and finish the season," said Britton. external-link

"I missed parts of training in that time but it was necessary to ensure I was available for the games, although I did struggle a little bit in the last four to six weeks.

"I've had one hernia since December, and a scan around four weeks or so ago showed I had another one."

Swansea will start their pre-season preparations slightly earlier than usual after qualifying for the Europa League by winning the League Cup.

They will make their debut in the competition on 1 August in the third qualifying round, the draw for which will be made in Nyon on 19 July.

Britton, though, has no doubts he will be able to take a full part in training with the rest of the squad when they reconvene.

"I've had a hernia operation before, around 2005, so I know the procedure," he said.

"It means I will come in during the summer to do some rehab which will make sure I'm ready for pre-season training.

"Next season will be huge for us as we will be involved in four competitions, so I want to make sure I'm fit and ready when we report back for pre-season."