Essendon midfielder Travis Colyer has undergone successful surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot.
Colyer was sore after the Bombers match with West Coast a fortnight ago and was diagnosed with a stress fracture of his metatarsal.
Doctors also found he had a crack in his navicular.
“He had the operation yesterday and it was successful,” Essendon Doctor Bruce Reid said.
“A screw was put across the navicular stress fracture along with bone marrow.”
The West Australian had been in excellent form for the Bombers following an impressive end to his 2014 season.
But the club will be cautious as Colyer undergoes rehabilitation.
“A navicular stress fracture requires a conservative approach,” Dr Reid said.
“He will not play again this year.”