BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech forward J.T. Thompson will have surgery on Friday to correct an inguinal hernia and is expected to be sidelined from four to six weeks.

Thompson, a sophomore from Monroe, N.C., was diagnosed with the injury on Wednesday and will undergo surgery on Friday morning at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

“I am disappointed for J.T.,” head coach Seth Greenberg said. “He has worked extremely hard during the summer and preseason to prepare for this season. But I know with his attitude and work ethic, J.T. will be back better than ever. He will bring his usual passion to the rehabilitation and return as soon as he is completely healthy. Everyone on the team will have to step up and work that much harder in his absence.”

The Hokies open the 2008-09 regular season on Friday, Nov. 14, against Gardner-Webb at 8 p.m., in Cassell Coliseum.