Reigning premiers Geelong have suffered a major pre-season blow as key midfielder Travis Varcoe has suffered a stress fracture to his foot that will require surgery.
The Cats announced Varcoe's injury through their official Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon, with football manager Neil Balme saying the 23-year-old will be off his feet for two months.
However, the Cats expect him to be available early in the 2012 season, although it will be off a severely limited preparation.
"Travis had discomfort in his foot and the scans showed the stress fracture," Balme told the club's website.
"He was referred and the best course of action to correct the problem is for him to have surgery."
"It is unfortunate that he will miss around 10 weeks, but we will not rush his recovery."
"It is a blow, but we expect he will only miss the start of the season proper."
"We have to be able to deal with injuries, and we expect other players will step up in Travis' absence."
"The good news is we expect him firing for the majority of the season."
Varcoe's injury is a serious blow to the Cats, who will already be missing the retired Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens, Cameron Mooney, Mark Blake and Darren Milburn when the season begins, along with injured youngster Daniel Menzel, who needed a knee reconstruction following the qualifying final win over Hawthorn.
Varcoe enjoyed a fantastic season in 2011 under new coach Chris Scott and was instrumental in the Cats' Grand Final win over Collingwood as he scored three goals and had 21 possessions.
In other AFL injury news, Adelaide have received some good news as scans have cleared defender Andy Otten of a serious knee injury.
It was feared Otten may need a knee reconstruction after he fell down holding his knee at training on Monday, putting further pressure on the Crows' backline following Phil Davis's departure to Greater Western Sydney.
But scans have cleared Otten of any serious damage, although he will need three weeks off his feet to recover.
The news is especially good for the 22-year-old, who missed the entire 2010 season after rupturing his ACL during a pre-season drill that season.