Star Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe will miss the next 12 weeks of the AFL season after suffering another dislocation of his reconstructed left shoulder.

Fyfe experienced the latest setback at training on Tuesday, and will undergo surgery in a bid to fix the ongoing problem.

The 20-year-old had major shoulder surgery during the off-season, but was left shattered when the shoulder popped out of its socket against Brisbane in round three.

Fyfe initially hoped to play out the season with the injury, but will opt for surgery following the latest dislocation.

Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said the operation would be carried out by the Melbourne specialist Fyfe consulted last month.

“We believe that the appropriate course of action for Nat’s long-term playing future and his general well being is to have the operation at this time,” Bond said.

“Based on the advice of our medical team, we envisage that Nat will require a recovery and rehabilitation period of about 12 weeks, which would make him available for selection in the latter part of the season.”