Hawthorn rookie Wayde Skipper has undergone surgery to repair a tendon to his hamstring.

Skipper left the field in the first half in the Hawks final practice match of the pre-season on the Gold Coast last Friday reporting knee instability.

Further diagnosis revealed damage to his hamstring tendon.

Skipper is likely to return to running activities within a fortnight but be unavailable for selection for 6 - 8 weeks.