A degenerative toe injury will end Sam Fisher’s AFL season, with the star St Kilda defender undergoing surgery next week.

Fisher has managed the problem for most of the season and returned from injury in last Saturday’s win over Melbourne.

But scans revealed the need for the All-Australian and two-time club best and fairest defender to have the operation.

The Saints are confident that Fisher will be ready for the start of the pre-season.

“I’m disappointed that my season has come to an end, but I intend to spend the rest of the year working with the club’s younger players and getting myself ready for a full pre-season,” he said on the club website.