Luckless Melbourne defender Joel Smith is set to miss at least two months after suffering a bone fracture in his ankle in the Dees' win against the Hawks in Round 7.
The 26-year-old has played five of the Demons' opening seven games this season and finally looked on course for some consistent football. However, in a cruel blow, Smith looks set to miss eight to ten weeks after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
The former Category B Rookie has had an injury-riddled career, only playing 26 career games and missed out on Melbourne's premiership last season after suffering a hamstring injury in the first week of finals.
Smith's injury adds to the Dees' list of injured defenders, with premiership stars Christian Salem and Michael Hibberd still on the sidelines.
Hibberd, who hasn't played since the Grand Final, recently suffered a minor setback in his return from a calf injury and appears to still be a few weeks away from returning to action.
The Blues have also suffered an injury blow with forward-turned-defender Mitch McGovern expected to be out for 10-12 weeks after having surgery on his hamstring.
According to carltonfc.com.au, McGovern re-aggravated a hamstring injury in the past week and the club decided surgery was the best option for his rehabilitation.
The former Crow looked set to have a big year in the Blues' defence after a difficult start to his life as a Blue but the injury appears set to keep McGovern out until late in the season.