Melbourne forward Tom McDonald will be sidelined for the next several weeks after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
It's been an injury-riddled two seasons for the 2021 premiership player after a Lisfranc injury restricted him to only 10 games in 2022.
Melbourne's high-performance Manager Selwyn Griffith confirmed the 29-year-old last week went under the knife to repair the niggling problem and is tracking well in the early stages of his rehab.
"Tom had been managing some ankle stiffness and soreness... unfortunately, there was a period there where he was unable to prepare himself for training," Griffith told the club's website.
"So, after consultation with surgical advice and with how we wanted to manage Tom ongoing, it was the best decision for him to undergo surgical intervention.
"He's responded well to that, he's in a recovery phase at the moment and then he'll integrate into our reconditioning protocols."
Meanwhile, reliable defender Michael Hibberd is in the frame to return for the King's Birthday clash against Collingwood after being managed in last Friday night's win over Carlton.
He is likely to replace Jake Bowey in the Demons' back six, after the 20-year-old was concussed during last week's Blues clash, putting him under the league's 12-day concussion protocols.
Swingman Harrison Petty, who hasn't featured since Round 9 against Hawthorn due to a foot injury, is tracking well, with Griffith confirming the 23-year-old is back completing high-speed running drills.
As for Brownlow Medal contender Clayton Oliver, who has missed the side's last two matches due to a hamstring strain, he is battling an infected blister which kept him away from the main group on Tuesday.
Griffith says the club will monitor Oliver in the next few days and is hopeful the superstar will return for the Magpies clash.
