Carlton midfielder Dale Thomas will undergo shoulder surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
It's been a tough few weeks for Thomas, who has been recovering in a moon boot from a stress reaction in his toe.
Carlton's Head of Football Andrew McKay says while Thomas' toe is on the mend, the shoulder he injured in the season opener has flared again.
"His shoulder hasn't been right ever since the first tackle of the first game at the start of the season and the last couple of games it actually slipped out," McKay said.
"We had some advice from the specialist yesterday and came to the conclusion that he needs a shoulder reconstruction, so he's having that done tomorrow.
"It's really unfortunate for Dale, and certainly disappointing for us, that he will be out for the rest of the season. But this way at least we will be able to get him fit and get him right before the start of the pre-season for 2016 to give him the best opportunity to play some really good footy next year."
In better news for the Blues, vice-captains Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison could return for Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG.
Gibbs has been recovering from a back injury and Jamison from an injured calf.
Meanwhile young Irishman Ciaran 'Casey' Byrne is also a chance to return this week.
Byrne has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since making his AFL debut against Essendon in Round 3.
Injury List
Byrne (hamstring) test
Dick (calf) 1 week
Gibbs (back) test
Giles (foot) indefinite
Jamison (calf) test
Judd (knee/retired) season
Sheehan (groin) 9 weeks
Thomas (shoulder) season
Warnock (shoulder) season
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