Sydney will be without co-captain Adam Goodes for about six weeks after scans revealed the extent of the quadriceps muscle injury he suffered during his team’s AFL loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.

The dual Brownlow Medallist reluctantly came off the SCG six minutes into the final quarter and the club was initially optimistic it was only a minor injury.

“He’s got a high quad tear so unfortunately he’s out for about six weeks,” Swans coach John Longmire said on Monday.

“He’s disappointed he’s not playing obviously. He hasn’t missed too many games over a 300-game career but he’s a tremendously positive person Adam and he’s fantastic with his rehab.”

Sydney have the bye in round 12 and it’s expected Goodes won’t return until their round 13 fixture on June 22 against Geelong at the SCG.

The Swans are likely to take a conservative approach with their most influential player, but Longmire was hopeful he could prove the club’s medical team wrong.

“He’s got amazing powers of recuperation. I’m sure he’s going to do everything he possibly can to get back as quick as he can,” he said.