Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe will have surgery on Thursday to repair the knee he hurt in the match against Greater Western Sydney last Friday night.

Howe requires surgery on the posterior cruciate and medial ligaments in his knee.

“Jeremy met with a specialist today, after having scans on Saturday. It is a bitter pill for him and us to swallow but in terms of certainty of outcome and the nature of the injury surgery is the recommended option,” Collingwood GM of Football, Geoff Walsh, said.

“It isn’t possible to be precise about how long Jeremy’s recovery might take but we know it is going to be a matter of months rather than weeks.

“As a highly popular figure and a leader we look forward to seeing him back. I know he is keen to remain involved with the team as he recovers, contributing all that he can.”

Howe, who turned 30 today, has played 87 of a possible 94 matches for Collingwood after crossing to the Holden Centre from Melbourne at the end of the 2015 season. He has played 187 in total.