Sydney defender Tadhg Kennelly hopes to be ready for round one of the 2011 AFL season after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday.

Kennelly twisted his knee in a training mishap in Ireland last week and immediately returned to Australia for assessment.

Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron said Kennelly had surgery to repair the medial ligament in his right knee and also had a clean-up of knee cartilage.

Cameron said Kennelly would be able to start running in eight-to-10 weeks and should be ready to join team training in March.

"We're hopeful he will be fit for round one of the 2011 season in late March," Cameron said.

Kennelly stayed in Ireland to see his family and to train after the International Rules Series against Australia in October.

Kennelly told Swans coach John Longmire he simply felt his foot stick in the turf and then his knee twisted.

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