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Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have surgery Wednesday on his right hip and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

``It's a clean-out type thing, not a tightening thing or reattachment deal,'' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said to the Associated Press. ``But it is weight bearing. So we'll just have to see.''

Although his stats are limited, the 6-11, 242-pound Foster is a key member of the Pacers. He sets the screens, slams into people, dives on the floor, and does the garbage-man work that makes life easier for Jermaine O'neal and Ron Artest. Last season Foster averaged 6.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, on 54.4% shooting from the field.

The Pacers have suffered lots of preseason injuries. O'Neal has a left foot strain that could keep him out until the start of the regular season. And rookie David Harrison has been out with a shoulder injury.

Scot Pollard will step in as Foster's primary replacement.