ESSENDON recruit Mitch Hibberd is set to miss up to six weeks of pre-season training after going under the knife for knee surgery. 

The former Roo, who was taken by the Bombers in November's Rookie Draft following 12 months off an AFL list, suffered the setback in a training mishap last week.

While he was cleared of structural damage, Hibberd was sent for surgery on Tuesday to repair meniscus damage in his left knee. 

Mitch Hibberd celebrates a goal for Williamstown in the 2019 VFL finals. Picture: AFL Photos

The matured-aged midfielder is expected to re-join full training around late February but will miss both of club's Marsh Community Series matches starting from February 27.

MARSH COMMUNITY SERIES All the games

Following the retirement of Bombers veteran David Myers, Hibberd had been hoping to nail down a role as a big-bodied inside midfielder ahead of the 2020 season.

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The 23-year-old made the VFL team of the year last year while playing for Williamstown after being delisted by North Melbourne in 2018.

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