Geelong has placed three players on its long term injury list to begin the 2014 season.

Allen Christensen (back), Nathan Vardy (knee) and Daniel Menzel (knee) have all been put on the list with rookie Mark Blicavs upgraded in place of Vardy.

Christensen had off season surgery on his back and is due for a middle of the year return along with Menzel who is recovering from his fourth knee surgery in three years.

Vardy, who suffered an ACL injury at training last month, had surgery last week and will miss the entire 2014 season.

Blicavs was upgraded for round one in 2013 and went on to play  22 games including the Cats three finals.