Essendon are hopeful young forward Joe Daniher could miss only three weeks despite being booked in for surgery on his collarbone on Tuesday.

The 201cm Daniher was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s selected side for the AFL round-18 clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium after he was injured at training when a teammate fell on him.

Essendon released a statement which said the 20-year-old Daniher would have surgery on his fractured clavicle on Tuesday.

“Joe will have a plate and screws inserted to strengthen his clavicle,” team doctor Bruce Reid said on Monday.

“It’s not invasive surgery and the positive news is it will shorten Joe’s recovery period. I would say Joe could be back within three weeks.”

Second-year player Daniher has kicked 19 goals in 16 games in 2014. The beanpole forward is the son of ex-Bomber Anthony Daniher.

The Bombers are seventh on the ladder and have a bye this weekend as part of the split round.

Essendon’s next match is against premiership favourites Sydney at the SCG on August 1, followed by games against Richmond, West Coast, Gold Coast and Carlton to close out the home-and-away season.