GARY Ablett will undergo sur­gery on his injured left shoulder in Melbourne today as the Gold Coast Suns captain begins his journey back to the AFL.

Ablett will have a Latarjet operation on the shoulder he injured for the second time against the Brisbane Lions in Round 16.

The two-time Brownlow medallist opted for the procedure after consulting with his surgeon Greg Hoy and ­another Melbourne specialist last week.

The operation will involve removing a piece of bone and muscle from another part of Ablett’s shoulder and screwing it to the front of the joint.

The bone and muscles moved are intended to then act as a barrier that stops the shoulder dislocating again.

It should help Ablett, whose shoulder popped out the back in 2014, given it came out of the front of the joint this time.

The operation is a common choice for athletes who have already suffered previous dislocations.

The dual-premiership player had surgery after he first hurt the shoulder while playing against Collingwood in Round 16 of the 2014 season.

The rehabilitation is also considered quicker than other shoulder surgeries, given the joint has been secured by the shifted bone and muscle, with most athletes out for around three to four months.

Ablett, 32, is hopeful of being back for the first day of pre-season training but is not concerned about hitting any deadlines after making the mistake of returning too quickly after the last injury.

Matt Rosa, a late withdrawal from Saturday’s game against Fremantle, is likely to return from a hamstring injury this week, while Trent McKenzie (quad) could potentially do the same.

Adam Saad (hamstring) and Sean Lemmens (hamstring) are also a chance of making their way back to football through the club’s reserves side, where they could line up alongside midfield star Jaeger O’Meara.