SYDNEY Swan Michael O'Loughlin had a pin removed from his ankle on Wednesday and is on track to be fully fit for the start of next season, according to club physio Matt Cameron.

It has been nine weeks since O'Loughlin, 31, had an operation to fix a ligament tear in his ankle.

O’Loughlin picked up the injury in round 16 against Carlton in a two point win at Telstra Dome. He hasn't played since.

"Michael's ankle didn't heal sufficiently well enough and it meant his ankle was unstable and needed to be fixed with a screw," explained Cameron.

"He's just started walking on it and he's on track to start running on it in February and training fully."

O'Loughlin has undertaken swimming and upper-body work and now he is out of the cast, cycling and other conditioning elements that don't involve running will be prescribed.

"We're going to slowly build his leg strength from there. At this stage he's on track for the start of the season," added Cameron.

Elsewhere on the Swans list, Adam Goodes and Craig Bolton's groin surgery has been deemed a success.

The pair were hampered by hernia-related groin injuries last season and visited world-renowned surgeon Dr Ulrike Muschaweck in Munich last September.

Like O'Loughlin, Goodes is also on track to be fully fit for the new season and could be ready to resume his role as an on-baller in 2009.

The Brownlow Medallist was handed a spell up forward last season after the groin complaint restricted his movement.

"We're just building Adam's running at the moment, and he's expected to join training in January. Like all the players [who've had operations], they're fairly keen to get back into the system."

This is not the first time the Swans have thought outside the box for player injury recovery. Defender Nick Malceski spent only three months on the sidelines last season after revolutionary polyester fibres were used to repair his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

And the club has used European soccer giant AC Milan as inspiration - modeling a number of their techniques on the Italian club who've lead the way in reducing injuries.

As for Tadhg Kennelly, his troublesome shoulder could be a thing of the past. After popping out a number of times on the paddock last season, the tough Irish defender had a shoulder reconstruction in October.

While Kennelly isn't doing weights he has started running as his shoulder has been in a sling since the operation.

"He's just doing small exercises right now. We expect him to join training in January," said Cameron.

Kennelly will go home to Ireland over Christmas, to help him recover.

Forward Henry Playfair and defender Ted Richards had spurs removed from their ankles but are back running and should be training fully by December.

Youngster Heath Grundy had minor shoulder surgery while running defender Martin Mattner had groin and hip surgery. The former Crow is now running and is expected to join in training fully by January.

Premiership player Luke Ablett has had a knee arthroscope and is back running now.