GEELONG midfielder Scott Selwood looks set to start the season on the sidelines for the third straight year after undergoing ankle surgery.

Selwood had an arthroscopy on his right ankle on Monday night after experiencing pain and stiffness since returning to training following the Christmas break.

The 27-year-old, who has a long history of ankle problems, faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines, putting him in doubt for the Cats' season opener against Melbourne on March 25. 

"The decision for surgery was made as the club’s medical staff believe it will give Scott the best chance of missing minimal football going forward," football manager Simon Lloyd said in a club statement.

"Scott will now begin a rehab program with his recovery expected to take approximately six to eight weeks."

Selwood's estimated recovery period will keep him out of the Cats' two JLT Community Series games, with the team scheduled to face Gold Coast on March 4 and Essendon on March 11.

He would then face an uphill battle to be fit for the Demons clash at the MCG, with the Cats likely to take a conservative approach given Selwood's injury history.

The former West Coast vice-captain missed the first four weeks of last season with a toe injury before returning through the VFL for a further month. In 2016, foot and ankle problems meant he didn't make his first senior appearance until round 20.

Since crossing from the Eagles at the end of 2015, Selwood has played 19 games in two seasons, taking his career tally to 154.

A club champion at his former club in 2012, Selwood had been one of the Cats' standout trainers pre-Christmas as he enjoyed a clean summer bill of health for the first time at Geelong.