KEY defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson has had minor surgery but coach John Longmire is confident he will be ready to play come round one of the 2011 season.

Roberts-Thomson was dogged by a hamstring problem in the second half of this year and missed the last nine games of the season.

He had been training and running with the group during the past month, but found he had pain in his glute muscle when he tried to kick.

Last week the Club’s medical staff decided it was best for Roberts-Thomson to have surgery on his glute to fix the problem.

“It was only minor surgery and we expect Lewis to be running in four weeks and back training with the main group in about eight weeks,’’ Longmire said.

Other players who were on the injury list in the second half of this season have been progressing well. Daniel Bradshaw’s knee has benefited from a strength program and he did not require post-season surgery.

Tadhg Kennelly, who had knee surgery after a training mishap in Ireland, is still in a knee brace but remains positive about being ready for round one, when the Swans play Melbourne on March 27 at the MCG.

Longmire is happy with the decision to recruit the 194cm Andrejs Everitt from the Western Bulldogs, and Matt Spangher who was at the West Coast Eagles. Both are versatile athletic defenders who have bolstered the team’s backline stocks.

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