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 sight 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 GM of Football Graham Wright said.
"Given his previous injury we are being cautious.
"He will need a minimal amount of time off his legs but will be fine to go when the program returns to training in the new year."
