Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom will miss Saturday’s clash with Adelaide and could be sidelined for up eight weeks after sustaining a broken thumb in the Pies’ Round One opener.
The 24-year-old suffered the injury in the final term of his side's 12-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night after receiving a kick to his hand.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley confirmed Sidebottom would require surgery to repair his right thumb.
"He'll have a pin inserted in his thumb," Buckley told Fox Footy on Monday night.
"He was set to have a fantastic start to the year, but he's going to miss six to eight (weeks), I reckon.
"(The injury) provides opportunities for some blokes that we have on our list and some other players there that can come in and take their chance."
Key tall Ben Reid could be a chance to return to action after suffering a string of soft-tissue injuries leading into the premiership season.
Jarrod Witts is another in the selection mix for Collingwood ahead of Saturday’s twilight clash at Etihad Stadium, while Clinton Young (hamstring) and Brent Macaffer (knee) will remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries.