Perth Wildcats have suffered a huge blow ahead of the upcoming NBL season with star shooter Todd Blanchfield ruled out for up to four months following knee surgery.

Blanchfield damaged the cartilage in his left knee last week and scans revealed he needed surgery. The injury is a big blow given his key role in the starting five.

The NBL season is scheduled to start on November 18, but could be pushed back to early December due to the COVID-19 border closures and lockdowns.

Blanchfield was outstanding in his first season for the Wildcats where he averaged 15 points per game. He stepped up to score 27 points in the opening game of the grand final series when the team desperately needed him.

The 29-year-old will join vice-captain Mitch Norton in recovery. Norton had recent hip surgery to repair the damage he suffered during the finals series.

The Wildcats’ 2021 grand final campaign was destroyed by injury but superstar Bryce Cotton and centre Majok Majok are back training with teammates during the pre-season.

Import Vic Law arrived in Australia on Monday and is also in recovery mode from the ankle injury that forced a premature end to his 2021 season with Brisbane. He must complete two weeks of quarantine before joining the team.

The Wildcats are experiencing plenty of change this season following Sports Entertainment Group purchasing the club from Jack Bendat.

Five-time championship coach Trevor Gleeson also left the club to accept an offer as an assistant coach in the NBA and the Wildcats have appointed ex-Boston Celtics assistant coach Scott Morrison as his replacement.

Morrison is yet to arrive in Australia following the birth of his second child.

Associate Head Coach Mike Kelly is running training after joining the club from the Cairns Taipans, but the players are in close contact with Morrison through both phones and Zoom calls.