Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is set to undergo surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right middle finger after sustaining the injury in Thursday night's win over Geelong at Optus Stadium.
De Goey sustained the injury in an attempt to tackle Geelong back Jake Kolodjashnij during the third quarter of the 22-point win.
The 24-year-old played through however, finishing the contest with a game-high five goals, 17 touches and five marks.
De Goey's recovery time frame is still unconfirmed, though it's possible he could be sidelined for up to two months in the likelihood of ligament damage.
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“Jordan has torn the flexor tendon in his right middle finger and it was determined this morning that surgery will be required to repair the damage,” Magpies GM of Football Geoff Walsh said.
“Jordan will have surgery over the weekend and will remain with the team while he recovers. We will have a better idea of an expected return date following his surgery.”
Collingwood confirmed De Goey will undergo surgery in Perth and still travel with the team during his recovery as the Pies remain bunkered down in Western Australia.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Jordan De Goey will have surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right middle finger after injuring it in the Pies’ win over Geelong last night.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 17, 2020
It's a poorly timed blow for the Magpies, who are also without vice-captain Steele Sidebottom due to his suspension for breaching the AFL's COVID-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, the injury comes on top of the sexual assault charges that were recently laid on De Goey by Victorian Police relating to an alleged incident back in 2015.
De Goey and another male were charged for indecent assault earlier in the month, with the AFL choosing not to stand the Magpies forward down.
The incident drew further attention after Collingwood's win over Geelong after veteran commentator Bruce McAvaney referred to De Goey's sexual assault charges as 'a hiccup', a comment he later apologised for.
