ESSENDON speedster Travis Colyer is set to miss the first six weeks of the season after succumbing to a foot injury, which needed surgery.
Colyer, 26, was pulled out of training about three weeks ago after the sesamoid bone in his right foot became inflamed.
He wore a moon boot and the club had hoped he would improve without requiring an operation, but Colyer went under the knife on Wednesday.
"Travis has had a painful sesamoid injury which unfortunately has not responded to conservative management," high performance manager Justin Crow told essendonfc.com.au.
"He underwent surgery yesterday in order to remove the small bone (sesamoid) underneath his foot.
"Once Travis is reviewed by the surgeon, his recovery timeframe will become clearer, however typically we would expect him to be unavailable to play for a period of 12 weeks."
Colyer played 22 matches last year, the first time he had lined up in more than 12 games in a season since he was drafted at No.26 in 2009.
The West Australian is contracted until the end of 2019.
