Coleman Medal-winning Carlton forward Charlie Curnow has undergone surgery on a troublesome knee that could see him miss his side's season opener against Richmond next month.
Curnow has dealt with multiple injury concerns over the summer, having required a minor procedure on his knee late last year before requiring scans after hurting his leg at training earlier this month.
The Blues superstar has now undergone surgery to have a screw removed from his knee, with the procedure hoping to not rule the 28-year-old out of facing the Tigers at the MCG on March 13.
Curnow is expected to be back running as early as next week, with a Round 2 showing against Hawthorn likely should he fail to face the Tigers.
The star forward's potential absence could see coach Michael Voss call on ruckman Tom De Koning to be positioned in the front half alongside Harry McKay, with Marc Pittonet to assist in the ruck.
Swingman Jack Silvagni, who has been training as a defender, could be considered if deemed fit, while Brodie Kemp has been making his case as a forward target over the pre-season.
Carlton is already set to be without defender Nic Newman (knee) and utility Alex Cincotta (hip) to start the season. The former has an outside chance to play in 2025 after rupturing his patella tendon.
Hamstrung midfielder Sam Walsh is nearing a return to full training in the coming weeks, while father-son addition Ben Camporeale has been sidelined for a month with an ankle injury.
Silvagni has returned to full training after a year on the sidelines with an ACL injury, while Blake Acres (back), Corey Durdin (shoulder) and Matt Cottrell (shoulder) were dealing with setbacks of their own over the summer.
The Blues have pre-season contests against St Kilda and GWS over the coming weeks before their Round 1 bout with Richmond. Carlton faces Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in subsequent weeks to start their season.
