SYDNEY Swans forward Henry Playfair will undergo ankle surgery on Friday to complete a year that has seen its share of frustrating injuries.

Playfair played 11 games in his first season with the Swans, after crossing from Geelong at the end of 2007, and now aims to get his preparation right for season No. 2.

"I've got a couple of spurs sitting on top of my left ankle and they've got to take it off," he said on Wednesday.

"It's pretty simple, a routine operation and I should be in and out in a day.

"I won't be able to run for five or six weeks after the operation. So I should be right for the start of pre-season."

The spurs, which grow along bone edges and rub against nerves to cause pain, have lingered for a lot of the year, but took a back seat to two hamstring-related complaints.

Playfair managed to keep his place in the side from rounds seven to 17, averaging better than 10 possessions and four marks, while also kicking 10 goals.

But the 25-year-old's start to 2008 was marred by a nerve trouble in his glutes. After undertaking the first three weeks of the pre-season, the injury became too sore and he had to pull back.

Fast forward to his time in the side and a hamstring injury grounded him again.

"Looking back, I was reasonably happy with my performances given that I missed basically all of the pre-season and played one half of reserves footy and then played 11 games straight," he said.

"I was happy with my form in that time.

"But the injuries have been really frustrating and out of my control. My left ankle's had a lot less range than my right.

"I pulled my left hamstring in that round 17 clash with the Crows and the two [injuries] could've been related."

Four goals in his first two games showed a glimpse of Playfair's potential, and the reason the Swans were keen to secure his services after 52 games for the Cats.

He worked to fill the void left by suspended forward Barry Hall, although kicking goals was never the priority.

"All I did was focus on my role during the year," he said. "I just did what was asked of me, they (the coaching staff) never said kick this amount of goals. [But] just play a role and help the structure.

"I take a few positives out of the season. I really feel I've settled here and I feel it's an environment where I can improve," he said.

And securing a regular spot in 2009 is a target he'll carry through pre-season training, which commences on November 10.

"That's what I'm really excited about and the improvement I think I've still got in me. That's what I'm hungry for."