BRISBANE Lions utility Marco Paparone faces a delayed start to the home and away season after undergoing back surgery.

Paparone, 23, had the procedure done to relieve pressure around scar tissue on his sciatic nerve.

The West Australian had completed all of the pre-season training to date, but Lions general manager of football David Noble said after consultation with the club's medical staff, the surgery was deemed the best way forward.

"We believe that for him to have his best year possible, we should do the surgery now,” Noble said.

"He is already up and about after surgery, and we expect him to miss approximately eight to 10 weeks."

Based on that timeframe, the best-case scenario for Paparone is that he's back for the opening of the season, most likely in the NEAFL.

Paparone has played 55 games in his five seasons for the Lions, but just 10 in the past two seasons as a combination of inconsistent form and back and hamstring injuries have limited him.