Collingwood has suffered a major setback after star midfielder Dale Thomas was ruled out for the next two AFL games because of an ankle injury.

The 2011 All-Australian left the training track during Wednesday’s session complaining of soreness.

The Magpies released a statement the following day to confirm the 25-year-old would miss Saturday’s round-eight clash with unbeaten Geelong and next week’s game against fifth-placed Sydney.

Thomas will be placed on a modified training program for the next two weeks, Collingwood’s football director Geoff Walsh said.

“The medical opinion is that if Dale has his training scaled back, the load-bearing work reduced for a couple of weeks, then the ankle should settle and he will be able to resume full training,” Walsh said.

Thomas had off-season surgery on his right ankle and resumed in the senior side in round three.

The eighth-placed Magpies will also be without Alex Fasolo, after the club announced on Wednesday the forward would have foot surgery which could end his season.