Spurs center Francisco Elson will undergo surgery next week to repair a fractured left orbital socket, an injury sustained while he was playing for the Dutch national team.

Elson was fitted with a protective mask and played for the Dutch against Slovakia on Saturday, but struggled with double vision during the game. That prompted the Dutch team's medical staff to send him to an eye specialist in Rotterdam. When the bone scan revealed the fracture, the Dutch team's doctors recommended that Elson return to San Antonio to consult with the Spurs' medical staff.

The Spurs said Elson should be able to resume limited basketball drills one week after his surgery and should be cleared for full-contact activity my mid-to-late September. He will have to wear a protective facemask during the entire 2007-08 season, however.

"I feel great," Elson said on Thursday. "It looks like I'll be here in San Antonio for a while and then maybe I will go back (to Europe) and support my (Dutch) team. The injury was just unfortunate."