ADELAIDE star Andrew McLeod will be sidelined for up to three months after undergoing surgery on his degenerative right knee.

McLeod, 32, missed two games last season with the same injury, which at one stage threatened to cut short his career.

The procedure was aimed at adding cushioning to the joint and Crows football operations manager John Reid said he was confident McLeod would be ready for round one, 2009.

“Although this is a setback for Andrew, the doctors are confident he will be able to resume playing by the start of the home and away season,” Reid said.

“Andrew has been able to manage the troublesome knee for some time now and is confident he will be able to do so this season.”

The five-time All-Australian will require the use of crutches for six weeks and will begin a modified training program in late January.