NORTH Melbourne defender Sam Wright is set for another ankle-related stint on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on Tuesday night.

Wright missed last week's loss to Sydney after suffering some cartilage damage, and the Kangaroos were initially confident he would resume this weekend before opting for an operation.

The 28-year-old is likely to spend the next three to four weeks in rehabilitation but North's football boss Cameron Joyce said the club's medical staff would be "cautious".

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"While it's only a minor clean-out, we will be cautious and measured with his recovery," Joyce said of Wright.

"If everything goes to plan, we expect to see Sam back just after the bye round (in round 14).

"In the meantime, we will work with him to ensure he has everything he needs for a full recovery."

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Wright played only eight games in 2016 and none in 2017 because of foot and ankle injuries before turning to the Australian Ballet's principal physiotherapist, Sue Mayes, for help.

Mayes, who also worked closely with Ben Jacobs, implemented a series of foot and ankle-strengthening exercises typically used by ballerinas.

The results were positive last season, with the 136-gamer bouncing back to make 16 senior appearances.

A quad injury in this year's final JLT Community Series match delayed Wright's start to the 2019 season, and he resumed in the VFL then played four consecutive AFL matches before this latest setback.

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