Carlton’s 162-game forward Jarrad Waite has escaped surgery, but will be sidelined for two, possibly three weeks with bone bruising in his left knee.

Waite suffered the injury with ten minutes remaining in the opening quarter of last Friday night’s match with Collingwood at the MCG, when he was awkwardly brought to ground in a tackle.

He was assisted from the field by club physiotherapist Simon Nelson and promptly subbed out of the game.

Carlton General Manager – Football Operations Andrew McKay said that while the 30 year-old Waite’s unavailability for both the St Kilda and North Melbourne matches at Etihad Stadium was disappointing, the diagnosis could have been far worse.

“Jarrad has escaped surgery, but he’ll undergo a modified training program before he’s right to go,” McKay said.

“The swelling in his knee took some time to subside, but it’s been evaluated now and after further consultation with the club doctor today, Jarrad will miss two to three weeks.”