“The recovery time for a fractured knee cap is typically 3-4 months. This will delay his return to running until the New Year, which means it is unlikely he will be available for our pre-season games in late-February and early-March,” Carlton's Head of Football Brad Lloyd told carltonfc.com.au.
“Charlie is understandably very disappointed right now but our entire football club, and I’m sure our members included, will give Charlie all the support he needs to get through this frustrating period.
“He is a resilient character, and we have no doubt, knowing the competitor he is, he will be back to playing good football in the Navy Blue in 2020.”
Curnow looks set to miss the opening rounds of the Blues' 2020 season.