Jamie Elliott's 2016 AFL season is close to becoming a write-off, with the Collingwood small forward set to undergo back surgery.
Elliott is yet to play an AFL game this year because of a pars defect injury.
The 23-year-old, who has largely been wrapped in cotton wool since the pre-season, recently suffered a fresh setback at training.
A specialist has recommended Elliott go under the knife.
"It'll probably just keep him out for about six weeks and then he should be fine to move on," Collingwood football manager Neil Balme told the club website.
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"We'll see what happens from there. Obviously that makes it a bit tough for him to have an impact this year.
"But it's certainly not out of the question as yet."
Elliott, the club's leading goal-kicker in 2015, has been sorely missed.
The Magpies received some good news on the injury front, with Ben Reid, Tyson Goldsack and Marley Williams all pulling up well after playing their comeback games on the weekend.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne midfielder Ben Jacobs has been booked in for foot surgery.
Jacobs is set to be on the sidelines for 8-10 weeks but the club is upbeat he will be fit in time for finals.
