HAWTHORN will send three-time premiership player Ben Stratton in for surgery next week to repair injured cartilage in his knee.

The 28-year-old had already been ruled out by the club for the rest of the season, but it was decided that surgery rather than rest would be the best option for him heading into 2018.

"That gives him the best chance to recover well and have a good pre-season under his belt for next season," said Hawthorn elite performance manager Andrew Russell.

The Hawks also reported on Tuesday that Josh Gibson (adductor) and Paul Puopolo (groin) were back running, but neither will be considered for the trip to Perth to play Fremantle on Saturday night.

"We'll just assess them over the next few weeks to see when we bring them back in again," Russell said.

Midfielder Jonathan O’Rourke has overcome a chronic hamstring complaint and after a long conditioning block is expected to return in the next week or so, as will inside midfielder Kieran Lovell, who has recovered from shoulder surgery.