Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps will miss the remainder of the 2017 AFL season after fracturing his fibula in the second quarter of the Blues' clash with Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues confirmed the injury news on Monday afternoon, with Head of Football Andrew McKay suggesting Cripps would make a full recovery before 2018 pre-season training began.
“Unfortunately, scans have revealed a fractured left fibula, but the good news from a medical perspective is Patrick won’t require surgery,” McKay told carltonfc.com.au.
“It would usually be approximately a six-week injury which, given the timing, takes us through to the end of the season. It’s obviously very disappointing for both Patrick and the Club, but he will make a full recovery well before the start of the 2018 pre-season campaign.
Cripps was attempting to smother a kick from Melbourne's Jayden Hunt when the injury happened, as Hunt kicked Cripps in the calf while trying to make contact with the ball.
Carlton defender Simon White will have further scans to assess the extent of damage to his knee.