Carlton defender Sam Docherty has undergone foot surgery following the Blues' 2023 campaign, with the minor procedure expected to limit the veteran ball-winner at training until the new year.
The Blues provided an update on a quartet of names who are nursing ailments, and in doing so revealed Docherty has gone under the knife to aid a niggling foot issue.
While the 29-year-old is facing a likely delayed start to his pre-season plans, the club is confident Docherty will be back on the track by January.
Meanwhile, Carlton are also hopeful of having small forward Corey Durdin back into full training by early 2024 following recent shoulder surgery.
Durdin is expected to make a return to skills training at the start of pre-season before ramping up his workloads in January.
The Blues goalsneak played just one game after Round 11 due to injury, making his return for the club's final game of the home and away season in August.
Meanwhile, injured defender Zac Williams is expected to return to skills-based training early next year after suffering an ACL injury prior to the 2023 season.
The former Giant missed the Blues' entire finals-finishing campaign due to the knee injury and will be eyeing a return to the field at the start of next season.
Lastly, ruckman Alex Mirkov will be assessed in the new year after the emerging tall required heart surgery in June.
Mirkov will have his workloads slowly lifted over the coming months following an extended period of rest and rehabilitation.
