Sydney have confirmed key forward Daniel Bradshaw will undergo knee surgery as he desperately tries to make an AFL comeback.

Bradshaw has not played any senior games this season as he battles the injury.

He will go under the knife on Wednesday to release tension in his knee.

The Swans remain hopeful Bradshaw will play this season, but he admitted over the weekend that his career is in jeopardy.

"The decision was made late (Monday) as Bradshaw has been unable to increase his running intensity without some knee discomfort," the Swans said in a statement.

"The operation will release his ITB (iliotibial band) to allow more flexibility in his lateral knee cap joint, and he will also have a screw removed that was inserted as part of a knee reconstruction in 2007.

"The aim of the operation is to improve his knee and enable Bradshaw to return to running, training and playing at some time this season."

The plan is for Bradshaw to return to running in about three weeks.

He played nine games for Sydney last season after his outstanding career at Brisbane, where he played 222 games and kicked 496 goals.

Bradshaw was one half of a formidable key forward double act with Lions captain Jonathan Brown and played in the 2001 and `03 premiership teams.

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