GEELONG expects Jordan Cunico to be back playing football before the end of the season despite the young Cat being forced to undergo surgery on both knees.

Cunico has been battling posterior knee pain and hasn't played at any level this season, and the 19-year-old is now facing 12 weeks on the sidelines.

"Jordan was limited through the pre-season and hasn't been able to play due to these knee issues, and surgery was determined as best way to resolve this," Geelong's general manager of football Steve Hocking said.

"We hoped the issue would settle without the need for surgery, but that did not resolve the problem, so surgery was required.

"Jordan showed last year that he is a player with a bright future and we expect him to be back playing before the end of the season."

Cunico played 12 VFL matches last year and impressed with his work rate and skills, although the 184cm half-forward/wingman missed seven games after knee surgery on his lateral meniscus.

The Gippsland product was a fourth-round selection for the Cats in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, taken with pick 59 overall.