An unusual thumb injury will delay Steve Johnson’s start to the AFL pre-season, with the Greater Western Sydney veteran needing surgery to fix the problem.

The preliminary finalists said on Saturday the 33-year-old would undergo the operation next weekend.

A club statement said Johnson suffered the injury on Thursday, the day before his Sydney wedding, while reaching for his phone in a bag.

Johnson ruptured a tendon in his left thumb and it will be in a cast for six weeks after the operation.

“This is certainly one of the more unusual injuries but Steve is a professional,” Giants football manager Wayne Campbell said.

“Coming into his 16th pre-season, we have no doubt he knows how to get himself ready for the season proper.

“While he won’t be able to participate in full training for a few months, he’ll still be able to work hard on building his fitness base throughout the pre-season.”

After 253 games at Geelong, Johnson made a successful move to the Giants this season and kicked 43 goals in 22 games.

He finished 10th in the Giants’ best and fairest voting.