Carlton ruck Marc Pittonet is in “serious doubt” for next week’s AFL blockbuster against Sydney after undergoing finger surgery.
Pittonet received treatment for the injury during the second half of Thursday’s win over Melbourne, but managed to play out the game.
However, 7NEWS Melbourne reporter Mitch Cleary revealed he has now undergone surgery.
Stream analysis, local footy and the biggest moments free on 7plus
“He is now in serious doubt for next week’s game against Sydney,” Cleary said.
“He has been really impressive partnering up with Tom De Koning in the ruck.”
Since returning to the senior line-up in Round 6, Pittonet has shared the ruck duties with De Koning.
But with Pittonet in the team, coach Michael Voss has another weapon up forward with De Koning now free to spend more time close to goal.
De Koning has since kicked six goals, including a bag of three in the win over the GWS Giants.
Carlton bounced back from back-to-back defeats to hold on for a thrilling one-point over Melbourne on Thursday night.
Midfielder Adam Cerra was also injured in that match after suffering another hamstring issue.
Cerra was one of the Blues’ leading ball winners with 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and four centre clearances before he hobbled off during the third quarter.
It was the 24-year-old’s second game back from a three-week spell on the sidelines with a previous hamstring injury.
“It’s a slight hamstring — a minor hamstring, I should say — so we’ll get that scanned and see where that lies,” Voss said after the Blues’ victory.
Cerra’s latest setback adds to the soft-tissue injury crisis at Carlton this season, with a host of key players sidelined throughout the campaign.
Mitch McGovern and Jack Martin returned from hamstring injuries against Melbourne, while Adam Saad and Jesse Motlop are still out of action with similar issues.
Saad and Motlop could return this month, but are unlikely to return for next Friday’s blockbuster against the ladder-leading Swans.
– With AAP
