Forward Josh Jenkins will require surgery to repair his fractured right ankle.

Jenkins, 24, will be sidelined for three months following the surgery, which will involve a plate being inserted into his injured leg.

Crows General Manager of Football Administration Phil Harper said the operation wouldn’t impact on the promising forward’s rehabilitation time.

“Josh met with the specialist on Monday and it was decided surgery was the best course of action,” Harper said.

“Fortunately, the surgery won’t affect the length of Josh’s recovery and we expect to have him back running at the start pre-season training.”

Jenkins was taken from the ground on a stretcher after landing awkwardly in a marking contest early in the last quarter of the Crows’ loss to Fremantle at Patersons Stadium. He was taken to a Perth hospital for scans, which revealed the break.

It’s a cruel blow for the former Essendon rookie, who has played every game this season and is ranked second in Adelaide’s goalkicking (24). He joins forward Taylor Walker (knee), defender Brent Reilly (shoulder) and young midfielder Aidan Riley, who also has a broken leg, in being ruled out for the remainder of the 2013 season.