PORT Adelaide will be without star midfielder Zak Butters for about six weeks following minor knee surgery. 

Butters had a knee arthroscopy this week to assess the damage after copping a heavy knock to the joint, and is set to miss the Power's first month of matches.  

The 24-year-old took part in Port Adelaide's match simulation clash against Adelaide last Friday, but pulled up sore from the game, prompting the Power to investigate further. 

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Butters, who serves at Port's vice-captain under skipper Connor Rozee, has emerged as one of the League's most damaging midfielders in the past two seasons, finished third in last year's Brownlow Medal and fourth the year before. 

He also won the 2023 AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player award, and claimed Port's past two John Cahill medals as the club's best and fairest. 

Power assistant coach Chad Cornes said he wouldn't be surprised if Butters returned quicker than forecast.

“He’ll get on with business and be attacking his rehab as best as anyone would or could," Cornes told reporters on Friday.

"He was a little down when he heard the news. But he’s a pretty positive guy who wants to get the best out of himself.

“He had the operation yesterday and it went well. He will do everything right in the rehab and might even surprise us and get back a little earlier.”

It's yet another injury blow for Port Adelaide, which already has a lengthy injury list heading into the season.

Forward Todd Marshall is set to miss at least half the season with an Achilles injury, while defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is expected to miss the start of the AFL season with a back issue. Esava Ratugolea is also no guarantee to return from knee surgery in time for round one's clash with Collingwood.