MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Travis Colyer of the Bombers gestures during the 2017 AFL round 19 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Speedy Essendon forward Travis Colyer will miss the opening rounds of the 2018 AFL season, after having surgery on his foot on Wednesday.

His foot failed to respond to conservative management following a sesamoid injury, with the 26-year-old having to undergo surgery to remove a bone in his foot.

Essendon's High-Performance Manager, Justin Crow, told the club's website the Bombers expect Colyer to miss the next three months.

“Travis has had a painful sesamoid injury which unfortunately has not responded to conservative management,” Crow told essendonfc.com.au.

“He underwent surgery yesterday in order to remove the small boner (sesamoid) underneath his foot.”

“Once Travis is reviewed by the surgeon, his recovery timeframe will become clearer, however typically we would expect him to be unavailable to play for a period of 12 weeks.”

Colyer played all 22 games for Essendon in 2017, averaging 16.7 disposals and 3.9 marks per game.