GREATER Western Sydney midfielder Jack Steele is expected to be ready to go when pre-season starts after having surgery to repair his foot last Thursday.
The 20-year-old missed out on playing in the Giants' NEAFL premiership on Sunday after hurting his foot at training last Wednesday.
He had an operation to insert a pin in his foot and will begin his rehabilitation immediately.
The unlucky midfielder would have been in line for selection in the Giants' preliminary final after Steve Johnson was suspended but he will have to sit on the sidelines.
Several clubs have expressed interest in the emerging midfielder from Canberra as he remains out of contract, however the Giants want to retain him.
"We're really excited with where he's heading, and he's absolutely a wanted player at our footy club," Giants coach Leon Cameron said last week.
St Kilda is one club understood to be interested in what Steele could add to their midfield mix, but after 17 games in two seasons at the Giants, he is believed to remain undecided about 2017 and beyond.
