Foot op for young AFL Cat Corey Gregson

Geelong young gun Cory Gregson has undergone surgery to insert screws in his foot.

The AFL club confirmed Gregson would miss the rest of the season a week ago but were optimistic he wouldn't require surgery on a stress fracture.

Specialists have since convinced the Cats otherwise.

"We want to do everything possible to avoid a recurrence of this injury therefore surgery was decided as the best option for Cory," Geelong's football manager Steve Hocking said.

"All went well yesterday and Cory will begin a rehab program in the coming weeks with the aim to have him return to training early next year."

The 19-year-old was nominated for the league's Rising Star award in 2015 and has played 29 games.