LUCKLESS Sydney defender Alex Johnson has had yet another bout of surgery, although this time for an injured groin rather than his knees. 

Johnson has endured five knee reconstructions and has not played a senior game since he was part of the Swans' 2012 premiership. 

Having suffered hip and groin pain as his loads increased throughout the summer months, Sydney opted to send the backman in for an operation about a week ago.

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The 25-year-old will not be eligible to play for at least another six weeks, ruling him out of the JLT Community Series. 

Swans football manager Tom Harley told The Age Johnson's issues were unrelated to his knee troubles.

"(There are) no issues with regard to pain or function through his knee," Harley said. 

"He's experienced a little bit of groin and hip region pain towards the end of last year and just wasn't resolving at the pace that he and we would like.

"He had a minor procedure last week, around (his) adductor area. He's basically out of action, with regards to running, for three-to-four weeks. He's already had a week of that.

"Then when you start to talk a return to play, it's another couple of weeks on top ... so (it's) frustrating for him but it's certainly unrelated to any of the issues he's had in the past."

Johnson returned to football late in 2017 through the NEAFL and lined up in nine matches.

He was delisted at the end of last season before being picked up again with pick No.36 in the rookie draft.