Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley faces a slightly delayed start to the season after being placed on the long-term injury list.

Papley has been recovering from surgery to address bilateral compartment syndrome since December. During his rehabilitation, he has been troubled by knee pain and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday.

Papley’s subsequent rehabilitation will keep the exciting small forward, who kicked 29 goals in his debut season, out of the JLT Community Series but he is expected to be pushing for availability when he is eligible to return in Round 2 of the Premiership season.

Swans Head of Football Tom Harley says he expects Papley to make a swift recovery.

“While it’s disappointing for Tom to have an interrupted pre-season, we expect him to recover quickly from this latest surgery and return to playing from as early as Round 2,” Harley said.

“Part of the consideration to operate certainly included where Tom is at with regard to his recovery from compartment syndrome. We are very confident that by addressing his knee now with minor arthroscopic surgery, he will have the best chance to make an impact when he returns.

“Tom is extremely diligent in his rehab and we’ve got no doubt he’ll be doing everything possible to overcome this setback and contribute for the team early this season.”