Promising youngster, Jay Neagle, will have an operation next week to insert a screw in his left ankle for an injury that has failed to properly heal. 
 
The club sought specialist advice which recommended that a screw will take the load stress off the bone.
 
The 19 year old, who debuted in Round 22 this year against West Coast, will require eight weeks rehabilitation.
 
Essendon Chief Operating Officer, Travis Auld, said the Club is confident the operation will have a minimal impact on his pre-season and that he will take part in the main traning sessions before Christmas.
 
""You would rather deal with these issues now than during the pre-season so he will have the operation as soon as possible and commence rehabilitation,"" Auld said.
 
Neagle is the son of Bomber legend Merv Neagle and was a father/son selection with pick 39 in 2005.