Collingwood forward Will Hoskin-Elliott will have surgery on his leg on Monday, raising doubts over his availability for the start of the season.

The versatile goal kicker, a running player who is also a good mark, will have an operation on his iliotibial band, which runs down the outside of the thigh from the pelvis to the knee, sidelining him in the immediate term.

Injury layoff: Will Hoskin-Elliott. Credit:Eddie Jim

The surgery to release the band up the outside of the upper leg will be reassessed after a week but typically athletes who have that sort of surgery need four to six weeks to recover. Rest without surgery to try to repair the problem would have sidelined Hoskin-Elliott for a longer time frame with no guarantee of improvement.

"It's a little ITB procedure. It will put him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks," football manager Geoff Walsh said. "It's a bit like Jordy [De Goey] the other day. We will see how he [Hoskin-Elliott] goes after surgery and keep him off his foot for seven to 10 days."