Essendon youngster Alwyn Davey is likely to miss his side's upcoming pair of pre-season matches due to recent knee surgery.
The Bombers have been gearing up for the coming season with a strong contingent partaking in training to start the new year as the club looks to contend for a finals placing in 2025.
Essendon are scheduled for their first pre-season clash against the Western Bulldogs in less than a month, with that match simulation session to be followed by a Community Series encounter with Geelong on Tuesday, February 25 more than a week later.
Senior coach Brad Scott is in line to be without Davey for both encounters, with the 20-year-old undergoing surgery on his knee this week, per AFL.com.au.
The procedure is expected to have Davey sidelined for at least a month, dampening his chances of an Opening Round appearance.
The third-year midfield-forward could be available for selection to start the home and away season but will be coming off an interrupted lead-up to the club's season opener against Gold Coast on Saturday, March 8.
The setback could put Davey behind the eight-ball when it comes to selection early into the year, with the father-son addition hoping to add to his 20 career games from his first two campaigns in the red and black.
Davey played ten AFL games in 2024, with eight of those coming in the first 11 games of the year before he earned a late-season return for two more matches.
Essendon are also scheduled to meet Hawthorn, Adelaide and Port Adelaide prior to a Round 4 bye.
