Carlton will know later on Monday if AFL defender Jeremy Laidler faces several weeks on the sideline because of a dislocated knee cap.

Laidler fell awkwardly during a marking contest in the first quarter of Sunday’s AFL pre-season cup clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, which the Bulldogs won by four points.

Laidler was rushed to hospital after leaving the field on a stretcher.

“He is shattered,” Blues team-mate Ed Curnow said on Monday.

“Jeremy’s an important leader in our backline.”