With preseason training heating up, three Cats are facing slight interruptions to their 2015 preseason campaigns.

New recruit Mitch Clark is on a modified program after suffering a calf strain, Nathan Vardy will undergo surgery next week to remove scar tissue from his knee and Steve Johnson has been given time off to deal with foot soreness.

Whilst most Geelong players will be given downtime from preseason training at the end of January, Johnson will be taking his a little earlier.

Speaking to geelongcats.com.au, Cats general manager of football Steve Hocking said Johnson was allowed to bring his leave forward to enjoy some downtime with family.

“Steve is quite aware of his body and after pulling up a little sore following a preseason session our club medical staff thought the best course of action would be to give him some downtime now.” Hocking told geelongcats.com.au.

“Most of our list will be given some time away at the end of the January but we decided to send Steve to Queensland now and have him train in the period at the end of January when the rest of the squad is away.”

Hocking said the approach taken with Clark and Vardy, two players who didn’t play any football in 2014, was an ultra conservative one.

“Mitch has been training incredibly well so far and whilst this injury is unfortunate we don’t believe it will be something that will hamper his build up to the start of the season.” Hocking said.

“Nathan will head in for surgery next week to have some scar tissue removed which is something that is common with players coming off an ACL reconstruction.”

“We view Nathan with an eye to the future so we are nipping this one in the bud before it can cause any problems down the track.

It is 45 days until the Cats opening NAB Challenge clash with Gold Coast in Townsville and 81 days until the round one clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.