COLIN Sylvia faces another hurdle as he fights to resurrect his AFL career, with the Fremantle recruit facing a delayed start to his pre-season due to post-season ankle surgery.
 
Sylvia, who only managed six senior games in his first season as a Docker, had surgery to clean up his ankle and is unlikely to be back in full training until after Christmas.
 
His coach Ross Lyon told the club website in early November that Sylvia required the clean out, as the ankle issue had contributed to the quad, hamstring and calf injuries he had suffered during the year.
 
"(Sylvia) had an ankle impingement that was affecting his soft tissue because of range of movement," Lyon said.
 
"They (surgeons) removed what they needed to free up the range of movement. He’ll take a little while to get going but we’re optimistic he’ll be in full training post-Christmas."
 
The former Demon, 29, regularly battled injuries during his time at Melbourne. He played 157 games in red and blue before crossing to the Dockers as a free agent at the end of 2013 on a three-year deal.
 
Sylvia was on a modified program last pre-season and will again be carefully monitored once he officially returns to training with the rest of the squad on December 1. 
 
AFL.com.au understands Sylvia began running last week and is moving relatively freely.

 
Meanwhile, Fremantle would not be drawn into Sylvia's early exit from the club's best and fairest awards night last Saturday.
 
The club confirmed Sylvia left the function at Crown Perth before 10pm due to illness and the football department was aware of the situation on the night, but did not comment on the nature of his illness.
 
Sylvia's manager Tom Petroro told AFL.com.au his client had simply felt ill during the evening and that was the reason for his exit.

Sylvia's exit took place approximately an hour before Nat Fyfe was awarded his second consecutive Doig Medal.