JEREMY McGovern will be on modified duties when West Coast's senior players return to pre-season training on Monday.

The four-time All Australian defender has gone under the knife to fix a heel complaint, in a similar procedure to that performed on spearhead Josh Kennedy's ankle in late 2017.

McGovern's operation is not expected to impact his availability for the start of next season.



Jeremy McGovern's no stranger to the odd injury or two. Picture: AFL Photos



"Jeremy unfortunately had a little bit of ongoing heel pain during the off-season and we decided the best thing for him was to go and have some surgery of his heel," senior physiotherapist Paul Tucker said.

"Very similar to a process 'JK' had done a couple of seasons ago, so we got a really good outcome from that and we'd expect Jeremy back running with the group in the new year."

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West Coast's first-to-fourth-year players hit the training track at Mineral Resources Park last week to kickstart pre-season, impressing Tucker with their enthusiasm.

Emerging trio Oscar Allen, Jarrod Brander and Brayden Ainsworth were among those who resumed skills work after going under the knife.

"Oscar Allen had some minor surgery in the off-season, just a little bit of a clean-up around the knee. He's back with the group and joining in most of the training sessions," Tucker said.



Oscar Allen enjoyed a breakout season of sorts in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

