New Cats recruit Hamish McIntosh is facing a period on the sidelines after requiring an arthroscope on his troublesome knee.

Speaking at his first press conference for the year, Cats coach Chris Scott said McIntosh had the relatively minor operation last week.

“He (McIntosh) had minor surgery this week which should only keep him out for two or three weeks but obviously that’s going to put a little bit of a dint in his preparation for the early rounds of the season.” Scott said.

“We are still hopeful that he might be right for round one but it’s not a certainty.”

McIntosh, who was traded to the Cats for pick 38 in last years draft, had LARS surgery on the same knee in August last year. Scott said the new injury was only “loosely related” to the one requiring the LARS surgery.

“It’s the same knee, different problem but it’s very minor.” Scott said.

“It was something that the surgery can fix quite quickly the surgeon tells us.”

“He could have put up with some discomfort for quite a long time or we could nip in the bud and give him some relief in the short term.”