TAYLOR Garner's wretched run of injury has continued, with the North Melbourne forward set to undergo season-ending knee surgery.

Garner played North's first three games this season before suffering a hamstring injury against Melbourne in round three.

He returned to play two VFL games in June but has since been sidelined with knee and hamstring concerns.

North football director Geoff Walsh said on Wednesday Garner would have surgery to remove a cyst from the back of his knee.

"His hamstring issues have been well documented, but unfortunately for Taylor a cyst has developed at the back of his knee," Walsh told NMFC.com.au.

"It has been inhibiting his ability to accelerate and reach top speeds.

"Attempts to treat him conservatively have been unsuccessful and the medical team has deemed it necessary for him to go in for an operation."

Garner was North's first selection in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft at pick No.15 overall, but has played just 16 games in his four seasons at the club largely due to injury.

Garner's woes began when he suffered a serious hamstring injury in a 2014 pre-season game.

The forward did not play again that season and he did not add to the two senior games he played in his 2013 debut season until round 15 last year.

Garner missed just one senior game after that, impressing with his hard-nosed defensive pressure and toughness inside North's forward 50.

He played in all three of North's 2015 finals and was instrumental in getting the Roos back into their elimination final against Richmond after a slow start.

Walsh said Garner should be fit to start 2017 pre-season training on time.

"The aim is to have him fully fit for day one of the pre-season and all going well he'll be able to hit the ground running and prepare for a full assault on 2017," Walsh said.