The injury bug didn't even wait for the beginning of training camp to strike the Portland Timbers.

Central defender David Horst is expected to miss 5-7 months after undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn labrum and femorocetabular impingement in his left hip, the team announced Monday morning.

The 6-foot-4 Horst, who was re-signed by the Timbers for the 2012 season, started in 11 of the 16 games he appeared in during the 2011 Major League Soccer regular season. But he was plagued by injuries, including a high right ankle sprain in April and a groin injury in September.

Horst's surgery leaves the Timbers with three healthy central defenders on the roster. Eric Brunner, Mamadou "Futty" Danso and Steve Purdy are currently the three players who have significant experience at the position.

Perhaps that's another reason why Timbers coaching staff, aware of Horst's situtation, have focused a lot of their attention on central defenders at the ongoing MLS Combine in Florida. The combine, which began Friday, concludes Tuesday.

The Timbers may opt to select a central defender in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft or complete a trade to acquire a defender. The Timbers open training camp January 23.

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