Geelong are confident skipper Joel Selwood will be ready for the start of the AFL season following foot surgery.

Geelong’s sports science head Peter Stanton said on Thursday the Cats had been attempting to manage the injury.

“Joel has an irritation in his foot that was not settling as quickly as we expected,” Stanton told the club’s official website.

“We envisage that as a result of the surgery being fairly minor he will be back running in two to three weeks.”

Selwood is likely to miss Geelong’s opening NAB Challenge game against Collingwood at Simonds Stadium on February 12 but should be be fit for the Cats’ AFL season opener when they host Adelaide on March 20.

“I’ve been very lucky during my career,” Selwood said.

“I’ve only missed six games due to injury and I’m hoping I’ll be back playing with the team within the coming weeks.

“The Cats have been fantastic in managing me through the pain in my foot and after various tests and consultations, it was decided the best option for me was to undergo surgery.”

Selwood has played 160 of a possible 173 games since his debut at the start of the 2007 season.