Docker Neale undergoes shoulder surgery

Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale will have a delayed start to the club's 2017 pre-season after requiring operations on his shoulder and wrist.

Record-breaking Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale has undergone shoulder surgery. (AAP)

Record-breaking Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale has undergone shoulder surgery but it won't be the only operation he has this month.

Neale is recovering in hospital after repairs to ligaments in his right shoulder.

The 23-year-old will also go under the knife to fix damaged ligaments in his right wrist later this month.

Recovery time will delay Neale's pre-season campaign, with the speedy midfielder not set to return to full training until mid-to-late December.

Neale set a new AFL record for disposals in a home-and-away season this year, tallying 737 touches at an average of 33.5 per game.

He signed a new three-year deal with the Dockers earlier this season, ending speculation he would return home to South Australia.