GEELONG youngster Steven Motlop will miss the next three months with a right shoulder injury but has avoided a second reconstruction of the joint.

The 19-year-old, who had both shoulders rebuilt after being drafted in 2008, had a "bone moving" procedure this week following an injury sustained during Monday's win over Hawthorn at the MCG.

He lasted just over a quarter of his debut match before Tom Hawkins accidentally kneed him in the back, which caused the new injury.

Another reconstruction would have been a huge blow for the Northern Territory youngster after he spent most of 2009 on the sidelines recovering from the dual operations.

Previously, Motlop has been the victim of bad luck. He dislocated his left shoulder in a goal celebration gone wrong in late 2008 before popping the other two months later in a tackle.

He will now miss the next three months as he recovers from his latest bout of surgery.

Shoulder injuries run in the family with his older brother Daniel, now a Port Adelaide forward, battling similar problems during his time at North Melbourne.

Daniel missed the first half of the 2005 season after having a reconstruction following three separate pre-season injuries.

The young Cat, who is nine years younger than Daniel, looked like his luck had turned after carrying the six VFL games he played late last year into 2010 and earning early senior selection.