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Carlton ruck Mark Pitonet is a “serious doubt” for next week AFL blockbuster vs Sydney after finger surgery.
Pitonet received treatment for the injury during the second half of Thursday’s win over Melbourne but was able to play the game.
However, 7NEWS Melbourne reporter Mitch Cleary revealed he has already undergone surgery.
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“He is now a serious doubt for the game against Sydney next week,” Cleary said.
“He was a really impressive partnership with Tom De Koning in the fight.”
Since returning to the senior squad in Round 6, Pittonet has shared the duties with De Koning.
But with Pitonet in the squad, coach Michael Voss has another weapon up front with De Koning now free to spend more time near goal.
De Koning has since kicked six goals, including three in the win over the GWS Giants.
Carlton bounced back from back-to-back defeats to hold on for a thrilling point over Melbourne on Thursday night.
Midfielder Adam Serra was also injured in that game after picking up another hamstring problem.
Serra was one of the Blues’ leading ball carriers with 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and four center clearances before limping off in the third quarter.
It was the 24-year-old’s second game since being sidelined for three weeks with a previous hamstring injury.
“It’s a slight hamstring – a bit of a hamstring, I should say – so we’ll scan it and see where it’s at,” Voss said after the Blues’ win.
Cerra’s latest setback adds to Carlton’s soft tissue injury crisis this season, with a host of key players sidelined throughout the campaign.
Mitch McGovern and Jack Martin returned from hamstring injuries against Melbourne, while Adam Saad and Jesse Motlop are still sidelined with similar problems.
Saad and Motlop could return this month but are unlikely to return for next Friday’s blockbuster against the league leaders Swans.
– With AAP
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