Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson will be sidelined from the AFL for the next three months because he needs surgery on a damaged hamstring tendon.

Gibson hurt his right hamstring early in Sunday's loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, and the Hawks say he has damaged the tendon.

Hawthorn football operations general manager Mark Evans said on Tuesday the club's medical staff had decided it was best for Gibson to undergo surgery to repair the tendon.

Gibson will undergo surgery on Tuesday night and will miss the next 12 games at least.

His injury is a cruel one for Hawthorn given the 26-year-old was recruited from North Melbourne to strengthen the defence because a serious leg injury forced the retirement of fullback Trent Croad before this season began.

Gibson's injury was the second major hamstring surgery of round three, after St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt was injured in last Friday night's win over Collingwood.

Riewoldt underwent surgery on Monday and will be sidelined indefinitely.

The Bulldogs' Jason Akermanis and Adelaide's Nathan Bock also injured hamstrings on the weekend, but are expected to only be sidelined for two to three games.

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