ESSENDON veteran Dustin Fletcher is almost certain to play on for a 23rd season next year, despite agreeing to have season-ending finger surgery on Tuesday.

Fletcher, 39, will go under the knife to repair an injured tendon in his finger.

The Bombers had hoped that rest might be enough to get him back on the field this year, but after he encountered more pain, it was decided surgery was the only alternative.

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Essendon general manager of football operations Rob Kerr said there had been little option but to book in for the operation today after the pain became too much.

“Originally, we were hoping he would be right, but it was causing him some pain and discomfort and we felt it was getting to the stage where it was very hard for him to play with it,” Kerr said.

“It was getting worse. He had the rest last week and we were hoping it would be OK, but he just felt it was going south.”

Kerr said a decision would not be made on Fletcher’s future until the end of the season.

“The plan all year has been to discuss it at the end of the year and that’s probably come quicker than we thought,” Kerr said.

“But won’t be rushed at all. He will be a big part of that conversation.”

It is understood the club will give the AFL’s current oldest player the green light to play on if he wants and become only the third man in VFL-AFL history to reach 400 games next year.

Fletcher has played 393 games since his 1993 debut. Only two players — Hawthorn’s Michael Tuck (426) and Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett (403) have played 400 games.

Club doctor Bruce Reid and surgeon Greg Hoy resolved yesterday that Fletcher had to put aside his hopes of returning this season.

“Dustin will head in for surgery later this week to repair a torn tendon in his finger,” Reid said.

“He dislocated his finger and tore a tendon in that finger three weeks ago at training and after further consultation it was decided that surgery was the best option.”

“It is likely the surgery would keep him out of action for the rest of the season.”

Fletcher missed last week’s loss to Richmond and his surgery means he will have played 15 games this season, leaving him only seven games short of the 400-mark.

In his 22 completed seasons, he has never played fewer than 13 games in a season.

His coach Mark Thompson said last week that Fletcher would be given the chance to make a call on his future, saying “It’s up to Dustin, it’s not up to us.”

Kerr said returning captain Jobe Watson would play in Saturday’s critical clash with an in-form West Coast if he comes through training well this week.

Watson has not played since injuring his hip tendon in Round 12 against Greater Western Sydney.