Sydney is not expecting superstar Lance Franklin to return to training until potentially February.
Buddy underwent surgery on his groin at the conclusion of the season following suffering the injury in Round 22 versus GWS.
Swans Head of Football Charlie Gardiner said the All-Australian captain is a while away from returning to training.
“He had some surgery in the off-season to address a groin issue he got late in the season in that GWS game," Gardiner told SEN's Sporting Capital.
“He’s still a little way off returning to training.
“We expect he’ll be back in training probably February at this stage with a view to having him ready for the start of the season.”
Franklin kicked 57 goals in 2018 from 19 games, but was plagued with injuries all year.
Coach John Longmire revealed late in the season the extent of Franklin’s injury issues.
“To be fair on Franklin, he’s probably trained about 20 minutes for the season,” Longmire told the AFL Nation pregame show.
“With the injury in Round 1 (heel), the ability to get up week in, week out has been a challenge for him.
“He plays with duress most weeks, he’s an amazing individual the way he’s able to do it after getting injured in Round 1.
“Lance’s ability to get up on game day is probably the best I’ve ever seen.”
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