The 22-year-old managed just two AFL games last year, with shoulder and hamstring injuries ruining what was his third season since being drafted by the Power with pick no. 68 at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
The Power's football manager Peter Rohde told the club's website Hitchcock would be unable to run for two weeks and wouldn't join the main group for two more.
Despite the forward's latest setback, Rohde predicted Hitchcock would be available for the side's first NAB Cup hitout, against St Kilda and Adelaide on February 17.
“He [Hitchcock] has had plantar fascia soreness in the last week,” Rohde told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“He managed training on Monday but is still sore and we’ve planned to have him undergo surgery.
“He won’t run for two weeks and will resume full training after about four.
“We think it’s likely he’ll be available for the opening week of the NAB Cup.”
Hitchcock’s plantar fasciitis increases the club’s injury list to five, with Robbie Gray (knee), John Butcher (hip), Daniel Stewart (hip) and Brent Renouf (knee) still recovering from surgeries undergone last year.
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
