Patrick Ambrose has been withdrawn from the list of emergencies for Essendon’s match against Richmond and will undergo shoulder surgery on Monday.

The forward has played in some discomfort throughout most of the season and the club has opted to send him in for surgery now to give him the best opportunity of completing a full pre-season.

“Paddy has played with a torn supraspinatus tendon for most of the year,” Club Doctor Bruce Reid said.

“He needs surgery to repair it and the sooner we can begin that process the better.

“He’ll be able to do all the running as well as some weights by the start of pre-season, but total recovery can take several months.”

In just his second year in the AFL, Ambrose has averaged five tackles a match this season across his 16 senior games.

Elliott Kavanagh takes Ambrose’s position on the list of emergencies for the match against Richmond.