Power players go under the knife

THE WASH up of Port Adelaide's season has begun with Steven Salopek and Daniel Motlop to both have shoulder surgery.

Salopek, who was dropped late in the season, needs a shoulder reconstruction and won't be able to start running for six weeks after his operation. Motlop only requires an arthroscopy but will be sidelined for a month as well.

Twenty-four-year-old Salopek played 16 games in 2009 for a career total of 94. The Victorian was taken at No.6 in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft and played in Port Adelaide's losing grand final side in 2007.

Despite his form struggles this year, he is contracted for next season and the club has made it clear he is a required part of its future.

Motlop had a terrific start to the season, kicking four goals in each of the first two games. However, he was limited to nine more matches for the year after breaking his ankle against the Bulldogs in Darwin in round 12.

He returned in round 21 but re-injured the ankle and had to sit out the next week's clash with North Melbourne. His history of shoulder problems has forced this return to hospital.

Josh Carr, whose season was ended by ruptured ankle ligaments, will be assessed but Marlon Motlop (groin), Toby Thurstans (calf) and Justin Westhoff (foot) should all be available for the start of pre-season training.

The screws that need removing from Westhoff's foot remain from early-season surgery.

Carr's future is clouded by his injury. Returning to Port Adelaide on a one-year deal after leaving Fremantle at the end of 2008, he turns 30 in April.