LOS ANGELES — LeAnn Rimes canceled three concerts this week because she is to undergo surgery for a leg infection, her publicist said Monday.

The 23-year-old country singer is scheduled for surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles. She suffered a “tear in the tissue” of one of her legs, according to a statement from publicist Diana Baron.

“It’s a minor surgery, but because of the infection it was urgent that she takes care of it right away,” Baron said.

Rimes canceled Thursday’s scheduled performance in Hampton Beach, N.H., and Friday and Saturday concerts in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She was expected to play the remaining dates of her “This Woman” tour after a three- to four-day recovery, Baron said.

Rimes is best known for the hit songs “How Do I Live” and “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.” She won two Grammy awards in 1996 for best new artist and best female country vocal performance for the song “Blue.”