Carlton veteran Liam Jones has reportedly suffered a season-ending knee injury.
The 30-year-old is a key component of the Blues' backline, a team already struck down by a host of injuries.
Carlton are yet to confirm the extent of the injury or where it was sustained, but it is understood that the club are working through surgery and recovery options for the star back, according to 7 News' Andrew McCormack.
Understand Carlton’s Liam Jones has suffered a knee injury and won’t return again this season.
Surgery not out of the question. Club waiting to hear from specialists on recovery time @7NewsMelbourne @7AFL
— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) August 9, 2021
Jones, who has missed just two games so far this season, is signed to the club until at least the end of 2022 and has flourished in David Teague's backline this season.
Elsewhere, the injury list at the 11th-placed Saints continues to rise. Veteran defender James Frawley underwent shoulder surgery earlier this week, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The 32-year-old has managed just two games for St Kilda since joining on a 12-month contract in early 2021, and his long-term future at the club remains in the air after his latest injury setback.
Saints coach Brett Ratten spoke to ABC Sport on Sunday following the club's win over the Swans, confirming no decision had been made on Frawley's future.
"His shoulder's not right so he'll go in for an operation on Monday and we'll sit down and work through what it looks like for next year," Ratten said.
Frawley's injury opens the selection door for injury prone Saint Dan Hannebery to make his much anticipated senior footy return, per AFL.com.au.
Hannebery, who has played just 13 games for the Saints since signing in 2019, has been managing a calf complaint but returned to the VFL in July.
The 30-year-old has played a handful of VFL and club matches since, but the Saints have given no indication that the former Swan will return in their must-win clash against Geelong.
