HAWTHORN recruit Jaeger O'Meara will miss against Geelong and is not certain to return for the Hawks' round five clash against West Coast after suffering a knee injury against Gold Coast last Sunday.

O'Meara was omitted from the Hawks' team to Geelong on Easter Monday after copping a knock to his right knee, which underwent extensive surgery to repair a ruptured patella tendon at the start of 2015.

Football manager Jason Burt said the Hawks would take a cautious approach with their prized recruit, but they were hopeful he would only miss one match.

"We were hopeful he'd get up for Monday's clash but unfortunately he's still not 100 per cent," Burt said on the club's website.

"Given Jaeger hasn't played much footy in the past two years, we're taking a cautious approach with this one.

"We're hoping it will be a short recovery and that he will be ready to go for round five."

O'Meara suffered patella tendonitis at the end of 2014, travelling to London to have both knee caps shaved by renowned European surgeon Dr Hakan Alfredson.

The 23-year-old then severed the patella tendon in his right knee at the start of the 2015 season and suffered complications in his recovery, sidelining him for two full seasons.