RICHMOND defender Bachar Houli is expected to miss between eight and 10 weeks following wrist surgery on Monday.

The 28-year-old hurt his wrist at training on Thursday and missed Saturday night's thrilling one-point victory against the Sydney Swans.

The Tigers are understood to be awaiting an exact prognosis but expect Houli will spend a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Houli has been a key player in the Tigers backline and is contracted for 2017.

He is yet to have the chance to play alongside Chris Yarran who was recruited from Carlton to play as a running defender but is yet to play a game for the Tigers due to injury.

Houli has played 118 games with the Tigers after 26 matches with Essendon and triggered a clause that sees him a certainty to play on with the Tigers next season. 

Houli told K-Rock Football on Saturday night he had been looking forward to playing alongside Yarran since the Tigers secured the ex-Blue during last year's trade period. 

"Hopefully we can play some footy together this year just to show fans that we have picked up Chris to in a way give me a bit of a chop out. What is more exciting is seeing young Corey Ellis take it to the next level," Houli said. 

"He is showing some glimpses that he can carry the ball and deliver the ball really well off the half-back so that takes a bit of pressure off myself and Chris as well, so as much as we're all waiting for Chris to bounce back, we've got some really good talent."