Rodney Eade has shed light on the rehabilitation timeframe facing David Swallow after his latest injury setback.

Swallow had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in Melbourne last week after complaining of pain in his knee.

Eade told the Gold Coast Bulletin that Swallow’s first half of the season was in doubt.

“He has got a bit of bone bruising so we will back off his running for the next four to five weeks and then see how it goes,” Eade said.

“Then he has got to do a pre-season so six weeks minimum after that.

“I couldn’t see him playing until close to mid-year but it might be anywhere from Round 8 onwards and it could be (Round) 10, 12, we don’t know.”

The setback continues a frustrating run for the 23-year-old, who played just six games in 2015 after suffering back-to-back posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Swallow has played just six matches since taking out the 2014 Club Champion Award.