ON THE SIDELINES : Knee Surgery for Cubs’ Dawson

Veteran Chicago Cubs slugger Andre Dawson is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing more knee surgery.

Dr. Michael Schafer removed a cyst from lateral cartilage on Dawson’s right knee Monday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said Cubs spokeswoman Sharon M. Pannozzo. Dawson was expected to remain in the hospital for the next few days and will be in a cast for four weeks before undergoing rehabilitation therapy, she said.

The 35-year-old Golden Glove right fielder has had trouble with his knees through much of his distinguished career, which has included five All-Star games and the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1987.

Knee problems were among the reasons Dawson left Montreal’s artificial turf, after 10 years with the Expos, for the natural grass of Chicago’s Wrigley Field.