It was not quite the news Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade wanted to hear on his first day.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft has not been able to guarantee Jaeger O’Meara will play their 2015 AFL season opener after the young gun underwent knee surgery in London overnight (AEDT).

A renowned orthopaedic surgeon is repairing the patella tendons in both of O’Meara’s knees – the same cutting edge procedure that salvaged tennis great Rafael Nadal’s career.

O’Meara has played all 44 games since his AFL debut in round one, 2013 but may have his impressive streak broken by recovery.

“We’ve taken a long-term view to look after him over multiple years so we’re not going to rush him back for round one if he’s not quite right,” Ashcroft told afl.com.au.

Despite suffering chronic patella tendonitis in both knees that prevented him from training at full pace this year, O’Meara still averaged 21.5 disposals and 6.5 tackles plus 11 goals in 2014.

O’Meara – the 2013 Rising Star winner – will undergo more knee surgery on Thursday (AEDT) before flying back to Australia to undergo rehabilitation.

It would have hardly been music to the ears of Eade as he completed his first official training in charge of the Suns on Wednesday.

But if Eade was concerned by the prognosis, it didn’t show as he watched first to fourth year players go through their paces.

“I was very impressed. I think everyone’s clear on what he wants from the group,” vice-captain Tom Lynch told reporters.

“He’s well respected and I’m happy to have him on board. He’ll be great for us I think.”

Lynch also touched on the uncertainty that followed foundation coach Guy McKenna’s dumping last month.

“We spent a few weeks not knowing (who the coach was),” he said.

“He’s (Eade) well known throughout the industry.

“Everyone was pretty excited and that we’ve got a guy like him, (it’s) fantastic for us.

“That buzz lifted a bit and (we’re) ready to go pre-season.”