Geelong speedster Travis Varcoe will have another operation on his injured foot, placing uncertainty over what part he can play in the Cats’ AFL season.
Varcoe, who starred in last year’s grand final win, has not played an AFL game since.
He suffered a stress fracture in January, requiring him to have surgery to have a pin inserted, although that later had to be removed due to complications in his recovery.
Varcoe had been running in recent weeks, in what the Cats hoped was a step towards an imminent return.
But after experiencing soreness, he will be submitted for further surgery, which will prevent him from running for another three or four weeks.
It is a big blow, given Varcoe’s pace is a major asset to the Cats, particularly as they have already lost Daniel Menzel (knee) for the season.
But Cats general manager of football Neil Balme said the club was confident Varcoe would play again this season.
In brighter news, premiership forwards James Podsiadly and Allen Christensen are set to return against Sydney at the SCG on Friday night, putting the Cats close to full strength.
Podsiadly missed Geelong’s round 11 win over Carlton with hip soreness, while Christensen was out with concussion.
Mathew Stokes is in some doubt with a minor hamstring injury.
While the Cats hope Stokes will be ready to play the Swans, he will need to prove his fitness during the week.
The clash with the Swans is crucial for seventh-placed Geelong, as a loss would leave them two wins plus percentage outside the top four.