Hurricanes chief executive reveals Ardie Savea could return from injury earlier than expected

Injured All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea could be back in Super Rugby action as early as March.

The blockbusting Hurricanes star took to social media on Sunday to notify his followers that he would be out of action for five to six months as he undergoes knee surgery next week.

However, Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said his franchise's star man could return two to three months earlier than first anticipated.

The Season: Hamilton Boys High School - Episode 4

"There's an issue with his cartilage and there is a bit of speculation about how long he will be out for, but you never really know until the surgeon has operated and seen the real extent of the issue," he told Stuff.

"The prognosis at this stage is best-case scenario he's back playing in three months, but it could be five or six months.

"We're not holding to any date because some people heal well, some people have complications post-surgery, some people come back quicker than others. You've got to be really careful about putting a date on it."

"Obviously we've got some good coaches already, and realistically to go to the market now for a competition that's already in it's pre-season would be incredibly difficult," he told Stuff.

"There are people on the market, but to bring someone in cold would be pretty challenging, and like I said we've got some really good people who are already here, been through planning and known by the team."

The Hurricanes get their 2020 Super Rugby campaign underway against the Stormers in Cape Town on February 1.

In other news: