Essendon ruck Nick Bryan will have an interrupted start to pre-season following thumb surgery this week.

Bryan returned to pre-season training on Monday and sustained a high-grade ligament injury to his thumb.

Essendon General Manager of Football Dan McPherson said the injury should have minimal disruption to his pre-season with full training expected post-Christmas.

“Nick injured his thumb in contest work on Monday and scans revealed a ligament injury that required surgery. The surgery was successful, and he will be wearing a splint that will allow him to participate in the majority of training over the next few weeks,” McPherson said.

“He will be back running in a number of days, and whilst the injury is an inconvenience, and will cause him to be slightly modified for a number of weeks leading up to Christmas, it won’t have a significant impact on his pre-season.”

The club will provide further updates as the pre-season continues