Collingwood have confirmed gun midfielder Taylor Adams will have surgery on an injured finger and will miss at least their first two AFL matches.
The Magpies say Adams has been battling a persistent tendon issue where his finger continually displaces and there is no alternative but to book him in for surgery.
Retired AFL great and SEN radio commentator Terry Wallace had reported earlier on Thursday that Adams needed a bone graft and would be sidelined for eight weeks.
Adams visited a specialist on Thursday and discussed the possibility of wearing a splint but it was recommended that he go under the knife.
"The finger continually displaces, and has done so for some time," Magpies football boss Geoff Walsh said.
"It had reached the stage where bracing the finger or taping it were not adequate solutions and it was not improving.
"Tay will be able to keep his aerobic fitness high and, being the professional he is, he will make sure that he doesn't miss a day more of the season than he has to.
"It is likely, though, that he will miss the first couple of rounds of the AFL season."
Collingwood launch their season with blockbuster MCG clashes against Geelong and Richmond before hosting premiers West Coast in a replay of last year's grand final.
Adams averaged 27 disposals, six clearances and five tackles per game last season and was a standout in the Magpies' finals campaign.
Star forward Jordan De Goey appears on track to face the Cats on March 22 after returning to the track on Thursday, a fortnight after spraining his foot at training.
