Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury will be sidelined from training until next year with the skipper to undergo surgery after fracturing his leg.
Pendlebury suffered a knock to his lower left leg at training on Friday morning with subsequent scans revealing a hairline fracture.
The blow occurred near the site of the leg injury that caused the 33-year-old to miss the final four rounds of the 2021 AFL season.
Pendlebury will have a plate put in his leg within the next 36 hours to ensure he is ready to return to training in January.
"Although frustrating for Scott, this is a minor setback," Collingwood general manager of football Graham Wright said.
"Given his previous injury we are being cautious.
Pendlebury has played 334 games for the Magpies, including 183 as captain.
The five-time Collingwood best-and-fairest made his debut in 2006. In October, he signed a two-year contract extension.
AAP/ABC
