Star defender Alex Pearce will not line up for Fremantle in round one.

Camera Icon Alex Pearce was seen on crutches after the Round 11 match at the MCG. Credit: Daniel Pockett / AAPIMAGE

The man widely regarded as Nat Fyfe’s most likely successor as Dockers captain was restricted to just 11 games in 2019.

Pearce fractured his left ankle in Fremantle’s round 11 win against Collingwood at the MCG last season and had follow-up surgery in December to strengthen it.

Speaking at the Dockers’ AFLW game today, Pearce confirmed he was out of the running for round one.

“It’s all tracking pretty slowly,” he revealed.

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“I was off my feet for a while so it takes a bit of time to come back.

“I’m really eyeing off the early part of the season.”

Pearce only started running again last month in positive signs for the injury-prone defender.

And he says he remains ahead of schedule in his return, the Dockers will likely take a cautious approach with the star backman in 2020.

Fremantle will face Essendon on March 21 in round one.