Off-contract Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia will undergo surgery on his injured knee.
The 23-year-old hurt his knee during last weekend's win over Brisbane, the same game where captain Gary Ablett (shoulder) and Michael Rischitelli (knee) sustained season-ending injuries.
Prestia's knock was considered less serious with coach Rodney Eade saying a decision to omit him from Saturday's clash with the Western Bulldogs in Cairns was precautionary.
But the club issued a statement on Thursday afternoon saying he would need to go under the knife.
"It appears he needs a minor clean up," football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.
"Following the procedure we will have a greater understanding of when Dion will be able to return to the field."
A lengthy absence could mean Prestia has played his last game for the Suns with several Melbourne clubs believed to be keen to lure him south.
He and 2013 Rising Star Jaeger O'Meara are yet to sign new deals with the Suns and while O'Meara says he's focused on completing his return from a serious injury before sorting out his future, Prestia's wishes are less clear.
One player who is definitely staying at the Suns is tall Sam Day, who has signed a new deal reported to be worth $1.5 million over three years.
"I've been enjoying my footy and I love living here, so I never considered playing anywhere else," said Day.
"I also couldn't leave my teammates, we all came here as 17, 18-year-olds and although we have gone through some tough times we can all see the direction we are heading and if we can persevere through those difficult times it is going to be so much more rewarding at the end of the day."
