Groin surgery has been booked for Brendan Fevola, but the star forward is adamant he will enjoy a full pre-season for the Brisbane Lions to prepare for 2011.

Fevola was officially ruled out for the rest of the 2010 AFL season on Tuesday when the Lions announced he would undergo a four-week rehabilitation on a torn groin muscle.

But Fevola raised eyebrows when he announced on Wednesday - via Twitter - that he would go under the knife in Sydney this week.

"Off to Sydney tomorrow for an operation on the groins," Fevola wrote.

Fevola's manager Mark Kleiman of Velocity Sports confirmed this week's surgery, but claimed his charge would be fully fit for pre-season training.

"I dont think it (surgery) is anything out of the ordinary," Kleiman told afl.com.au.

"He just rang me and said 'look, I've got to go and have surgery and then I'll be right to go for the start of pre-season'."

Despite nursing the groin/abdominal complaint for much of the season, Fevola still kicked 48 goals in 17 games in his first year for the Lions.

But it could not stop the Lions dropping 13 of their last 14 games and sliding to second-last on the AFL ladder.

Fevola will be missed when the Lions take on dead last West Coast at Subiaco on Saturday - a game that could decide the wooden spoon.

"We are definitely going to miss Fevvy," said teammate Daniel Merrett, a member of Brisbane's leadership group who will mark his 100th AFL game on Saturday.

"But Aaron Cornelius will probably come in and get some game time.

"It's disappointing but we have to keep rolling on.

"We want to finish the season off really strong."

Lions coach Michael Voss said Merrett's leadership would be needed more than ever as his side close out what has become a nightmare season.

"'Strawbs' (Merrett) has been very important to this club, even of late with the leadership he has shown in defence," Voss said.

"He really pulls that back group together which hasn't been without its challenges considering we've had a number of different guys play there throughout the year.

"He's been a rock for us in defence for a period of time.

"Just having the big fella out on the field makes everyone walk a little bit taller."

Merrett was more modest about his 99-game career to date.

Asked who was the toughest opponent he had faced, league convert Merrett laughed: "I have probably been touched up by everyone - from Matty Lloyd to Fev."

Not that Merrett wouldn't take great pride in seeing his name permanently inked on his Lions locker - the reward for every 100-club member at the club.

"I remember walking in and seeing Roger Merrett's name up on his locker and thinking 'gee it would be great to have another Merrett up there'," he said.

"I am very excited about the achievement."

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