SYDNEY champion Lance Franklin has been ruled out for the remainder of 2020. 

After suffering a serious hamstring injury in May, Franklin has sustained groin soreness while attempting to ramp up his rehabilitation in recent weeks.

With just five matches left this season, and with the Swans all but ruled out of finals, the call was made to prepare the 33-year-old for 2021.

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"Lance has been working hard on a return to play and, until this week, we remained hopeful that would happen before the end of the season," Swans head of football Charlie Gardiner said. 

"However, given the soreness he has experienced in his groin, which suggests he still has some instability there, we believe the best course of action is for Lance to focus on building his core strength, rather than pushing himself to play again this year.

"Lance will remain with the team and continue his rehabilitation and training. 

"He's also keen to assist in a mentoring and coaching capacity as he is fully invested in our young group. 

"We look forward to seeing him back to full strength next season."

Franklin has played just 10 games since the start of last year and none this season after persistent knee and hamstring setbacks. 

The former Hawk will vie to become the just the sixth man in VFL/AFL history to break the 1000-goal barrier when he begins next season with 944 to his name. 

Franklin falls out of contract at the end of 2022, a year in which he will turn 35.