Collingwood's midfield star Tom Mitchell has undergone a minor surgical procedure to address an ongoing issue with the plantar fascia in his left foot.
The 31-year-old, who has not taken the field since the Pies' Round Seven ANZAC Day match, is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
The procedure comes after Mitchell had been managing plantar fasciitis, a painful condition affecting the sole of the foot.
Although there were initial hopes for a faster recovery, additional consultations concluded that surgery was the optimal choice for Mitchell to fully restore the function of his foot.
"Tom has undergone a minor procedure to address the plantar fasciitis he has been managing," said Collingwood's Head of High-Performance, Jarrod Wade.
"Following further consultation, surgery was the best option to help Tom regain full function in his foot. Tom will have a period of rest and recovery post-surgery before commencing a return to play program where we expect to see him return to the game in the back end of the season."
Mitchell's absence furthers Collingwood's injury woes, with the team already navigating a challenging period with several key players out.
Jordan De Goey, who has been dealing with groin issues, is set to return this weekend, but the Pies are still without Jamie Elliott (vascular) and Brody Mihocek (hamstring), among others.
The loss of Mitchell is a significant blow to Collingwood's midfield depth. The Brownlow Medallist had been a consistent performer before his injury troubles began, including an unexpected bout of appendicitis that further complicated his season.
Despite these setbacks, Collingwood remains optimistic about Mitchell's return later in the season. The club plans to provide further updates on his progress in the coming weeks as he begins his recovery and rehabilitation program.
Mitchell's return will be eagerly anticipated by Collingwood fans, who hope to see the midfielder back in action for the crucial final stages of the season.
In the meantime, the team will continue to adapt and push forward in their campaign, the next step being Monday's King's Birthday clash with Melbourne.