Exciting young Lions midfielder Jared Polec will be forced to spend some time on the sidelines after injuring his knee at training during the week.

Polec underwent surgery today to repair what proved to be a ‘bucket handle tear’ of the lateral meniscus in his left knee.

The Club will assess the injury over the next week to determine his exact rehabilitation time, although it is likely he will miss around 3-4 weeks.

It is a blow for the Woodville West Torrens recruit who was the Club’s first round selection (Pick No.5 overall) at the 2010 AFL National Draft.

Polec made his senior debut in Round 3 against Melbourne at the MCG where he collected 11 disposals in a remarkable first quarter of senior AFL football.

He went on to play three senior matches before returning to the Lions Reserves side where he has made great progress in developing parts of his game.

Polec becomes the second Lions draftee to be sidelined for a lengthy period of time after Ryan Lester suffered ligament damage in his right foot earlier in the season.

19 year-old Queenslander Claye Beams was also ruled out for the season earlier this week with a navicular fracture in his foot.