Gold Coast star Jaeger O’Meara faces an extended period on the sidelines after dislocating his right kneecap playing for the Suns’ reserves.

The 21-year-old suffered the injury playing in a NEAFL practice match against the Brisbane Lions’ reserves team at Coorparoo on Saturday.

The talented midfielder was stretchered from the field in the second quarter and taken to hospital, with scans later revealing he had also ruptured the patella tendon, which will require corrective surgery.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said it was too early to confirm the specific surgery or an expected return date. “Jaeger and the club will determine the most appropriate treatment of the injury in the coming days,” Ashcroft said via a statement.

“The anticipated timeframe that Jaeger will be sidelined for is unknown at this stage and will become more apparent following surgery.”

O’Meara was playing his first game back after undergoing patella surgery on both knees in London at the end of last season.