Gold Coast defender Daniel Rioli "will be unavailable for several weeks" after suffering a leg injury in the heavy loss to Adelaide in Round 19.
Rioli was subbed from the one-sided affair at half time, and scans have revealed the worst for the former Tiger.
"Scans on Monday show that Daniel has sustained a small fracture to his fibula," Suns Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said.
"After discussing the results with Daniel, a decision was made that he will undergo an operation which will make him unavailable for selection for several weeks."
Rioli could miss the remainder of the home and away season, with only five weeks left to go, although the Suns have six clashes due to the postponed contest with Essendon set in Round 24.
In more positive news, Gold Coast are likely to regain Sam Collins (calf) and Lachie Weller (cork), who were close to returning last week, but were given extra time to recover from their respective injuries.
Will Graham (shoulder) and Touk Miller (hamstring) are pushing their case to be recalled before season's end as the club lists them as "short-term" prospects.
