Essendon midfielder Mitch Hibberd has undergone minor knee surgery to repair damage he suffered to his meniscus during a training drill last week.

General manager of football Dan Richardson said Hibberd will return to full training prior to the 2020 home and away season.

“Mitch underwent minor surgery earlier this week to clean up damage he suffered to his meniscus,” Richardson said.

“He is in great spirits post-surgery and we expect him to progress his rehabilitation over the next six weeks before reintegrating into full training.”

Hibberd, who played four games for North Melbourne in 2017, will be striving to make an immediate impact at his second AFL club.

Arriving at the Bombers via the 2019 NAB AFL Rookie Draft, the powerful 23-year-old starred for Williamstown last year, booting 10 goals and averaging 24.3 disposals and 6.9 tackles to be named in the VFL team of the year.