Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett has undergone scans as the AFL club waits anxiously to learn how long the superstar will be sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.

The Suns are expected to get the results of the scans later on Monday to determine the extent of the ligament damage, how many weeks the Brownlow Medal favourite will miss or whether he needs season-ending reconstruction surgery.

Ablett suffered the injury to his left shoulder in the third quarter of Saturday night’s thrilling home win over Collingwood.

Leading sports doctor Peter Brukner has told Fairfax it would likely be best if dual Brownlow medallist Ablett took five to six weeks to recover, with three weeks the minimum.

“It will be about getting the balance right,” Brukner said.

“Do you keep him off the squad for longer to give him the best chance to heal, or do you risk it and get him back quicker?

“Five weeks or so could be enough to get the shoulder strong enough to withstand the pressures of the AFL.

“Most clubs and athletes’ natural instinct is to take the risk, but they may take a longer-term approach.”