Swans ruckman Kurt Tippet has returned to Sydney after undergoing surgery in Melbourne on his hamstring tendon.

Tippett injured his semitendinosus tendon in the Derby against the Giants.

Swans General Manager of Football Tom Harley says the big man will return towards the latter part of the season.

“The surgery was a success and Kurt was also really happy with the way that it played out, so he will be unavailable for eight weeks,” Harley told the HCF injury update.

“He’s back in Sydney and embarking on his rehab program.”

The mid-season bye will give several Sydney Swans players a chance to recover and press their case to return in Round 15 against the Western Bulldogs.

Jeremy Laidler will be available to play after missing the win over Melbourne with soreness in his knee, while Ted Richards and Tom Papley returned from injury through the NEAFL last weekend and will be a chance for a recall to the senior side.

And after undergoing a fifth knee reconstruction, Alex Johnson is preparing to begin his rehab.

Harley says Johnson is optimistic about the future.

“Alex is, as we know, an unbelievably resilient character and he’s extremely buoyed by the recent appointment with the doctor,” Harley said.

“He will be back in Sydney next week where he can get back in amongst the playing group and back in amongst the NEAFL team, where he was acting as an assistant coach.

“So he’s buoyed, we’re buoyed and we’ve got everything crossed for AJ – but all things are tracking in a positive direction at the moment.”