Geelong will remain without veteran midfielder Cam Guthrie for several months after the premiership Cat was required to undergo surgery on a toe injury.
Guthrie last played for the Cats in Round 6 before suffering the ailment, with the two-time best and fairest winner having built his training workloads in recent weeks in the hope of making a mid-season return.
After further assessment on the toe injury, Guthrie has been required to go under the knife and will now miss an extended period as the club hopes to have the 30-year-old back in action in the later stages of the season.
"We are all disappointed for Cam and unfortunately his recovery since sustaining the injury has not progressed as we would have hoped," Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said in a club injury update.
“After consultation with our medical team and Cam, we have come to a decision that surgery is the best path forward to protect both Cam's short and long-term health.
“He will undergo surgery on Friday, and we hope to have him back playing in the later stages of the season.”
The Cats could be without Guthrie for the remainder of the home and away season as their finals chances continue to wane due to recent form and injury struggles.
Geelong are already without Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring), Max Holmes (knee), Rhys Stanley (eye), Mitch Duncan (hamstring), Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) and Jhye Clark (foot), among others, for this weekend's clash against the Western Bulldogs.
A loss on Saturday night will see the Cats concede their fourth successive defeat and potentially fall into the bottom third on the AFL ladder.
Dangerfield is likely to make a return after Geelong's Round 13 bye, while Duncan and Ratugolea could also be in the mix for selection when the Cats return to face Port Adelaide on June 15 at Adelaide Oval.
Geelong face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium at 7:25pm (AEST) on Saturday.
