EMERGING Geelong star Steven Motlop is set to miss the first month of the home and away season after having surgery in London in a bid to cure his knee tendonitis.

The 22-year-old, who enjoyed a breakout season last year, kicking 44 goals in 24 games, flew to the United Kingdom last Saturday.

He was assessed by a renowned tendon specialist who had previously helped Cats youngster Josh Cowan overcome a chronic Achilles problem.

After consultation with Geelong's medical staff, it was decided that Motlop needed to have an operation.

"The assessment was that Steven would benefit from minor corrective surgery, and he underwent this while he was in London," the club's head of sport science and medicine Peter Stanton said.

 

"The operation was successful and we expect that Steven will be back training in six to eight weeks."

Motlop will miss all of Geelong's pre-season matches.

Given the Cats' home and away opener against Adelaide is just seven weeks away, he is unlikely to return before round three.