GEELONG hopes youngster Tom Lonergan is fit to play this weekend after the versatile Cat underwent surgery earlier this week on an infected finger.

Lonergan booted five goals in Geelong’s VFL win over Werribee on Sunday to again thrust his name in front of senior coach Mark Thompson and the Cats’ selectors.

Geelong football manager Neil Balme confirmed Lonergan had undergone a minor procedure but hoped it wouldn’t keep the 23-year-old out of action too long.

“He had a bit of a finger problem but we don’t think it’ll stop him from playing this week,” Balme told afl.com.au.

“We’re not quite sure what happened to it … he had to have a little bit of a procedure.

“He had a touch of surgery just to get rid of an infection, I think … he hurt it the week before, but they’re pretty hopeful that he won’t miss [a game].

“We’ll just have to see how he goes at training.”

Lonergan had his kidney removed in 2006 after a clash with Melbourne’s Brad Miller.

He played senior football during the 2008 pre-season and appeared to be locked in a duel with Tom Hawkins for the vacant forward spot left by Nathan Ablett.

The courageous Cat was among his team’s best in the Geelong VFL team’s 53-point win over the Tigers.

Lonergan was upgraded from Geelong’s rookie list to the senior list at the end of 2007 after a best afield performance in last year’s VFL Grand Final.