THE Blues’ significant injury woes have continued, with confirmation on Tuesday that big man Andrew Phillips will miss the remainder of the season with tendon damage to his right hamstring.
Phillips was sidelined in the first quarter of Carlton’s clash with Brisbane at The Gabba on Saturday afternoon and failed to see out the remainder of the game.
“Andrew will see a specialist in the coming days to determine the full extent of the damage but he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season,” Head of Football Andrew McKay said.
“Clearly we’re disappointed for Andrew and this adds to our growing list of injuries, but we will fully support him in his rehab from this injury over the coming weeks.”
Meanwhile, defender Caleb Marchbank will continue to be monitored throughout the week after being hospitalised on Saturday night with an elevated heart rate, after coming off the field during the Blues’ loss to Brisbane.
“The pleasing news is Caleb is OK and was hospitalised for precautionary measure, but we will closely monitor him throughout the week before he can be considered for selection for Friday night,” McKay said.
Defenders Kade Simpson and Jacob Weitering will face fitness tests this week after the pair experienced tight calves.
“Kade’s calf tightened up during the last session of the week prior to the Brisbane game. We gave him every opportunity to play but on Saturday morning we felt it was still too tight to risk playing him. He’ll be a test at the end of the week and we’re hopeful he’ll be available,” McKay said.
“Jacob felt some tightness in his calf during the game. We were concerned about further injury so he didn’t see out the remainder of the game. He has pulled up well and will be tested at the end of the week.”
Utility Sam Kerridge remains another week away with a groin niggle, while Harrison Macreadie (hamstring) and Tom De Koning (hamstring) will also integrate back into skills training this week.
“Sam will look to get back into full training later this week or early next and we’re hopeful he will be available for selection within the next one to two weeks,” McKay said.
“Harrison and Tom will also look to mix into training this week with the view to return to the field the following week too.”
Kym Lebois (knee) and Angus Schumacher (groin) will likely return from injury through the VFL this weekend, when the Northern Blues face Williamstown at Ikon Park on Sunday.
“Kym and Angus will both face fitness tests later this week but we are hopeful they will make their return with the Northern Blues on Sunday,” McKay said.
Injury list pre-Round 17:
Kade Simpson - Calf - Test
Jacob Weitering - Calf - Test
Caleb Marchbank - Heart - Test
Kym Lebois - Knee - Test
Angus Schumacher - Groin - Test
Harrison Macreadie - Hamstring - 1 Week
Tom De Koning - Hamstring - 1 Week
Sam Kerridge - Groin - 1-2 Weeks
Jesse Glass-McCasker - Knee - 4-5 Weeks
David Cuningham - Hamstring - 5-7 Weeks
Andrew Phillips - Hamstring - Season
Lachie Plowman - Knee - Season
Alex Silvagni - Achilles - Season
Sam Docherty - Knee - Season
Tom Williamson - Back - Season
