Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli underwent ankle surgery on Monday, after noticing some swelling at pre-season training.
The star midfielder had just returned from some time away in Canada and the U.S, but says the ankle was giving him a few issues and the club felt it was best to get the procedure done as soon as possible.
Bontempelli says he expects to be back up and running for the November 27 beginning of pre-season training.
“I’ll move to ease everyone’s tensions or concerns, it’s just a little ankle clean-up,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Got through the season and whatnot pretty good and then had my break, started training and noticed a few little signs, a little bit of swelling and it was staying a little bit angry post-session since coming back from my off-season trip.
“So we just decided it was better to act now rather than pushing into the pre-season and then season, going for a little tidy up.
“Should still be well and truly on track to get things going once we’re back on the 27th of November.
“No big concern here, better to act sooner rather than later and get going. Should be (walking) properly by the end of the week.”
Bontempelli will still have a busy November, with the launch of his second children’s book – Little Bont’s Brave Play.