Collingwood would be pushing their luck to play Nick Daicos in the finals after superstar broke a bone in his knee against Hawthorn

Collingwood would be pushing their luck to play Nick Daicos in the finals after superstar broke a bone in his knee against Hawthorn

By Dan Cancian For Daily Mail Australia

Nick Daicos faces six weeks on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his knee and Collingwood would take a huge risk by playing the superstar midfielder in the finals, according to respected sports medico Peter Larkins.

Daicos suffered a hairline fracture in the lateral tibial plateau of the right knee joint in the Magpies’ 32-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG, which has cast major doubts over his availability for the finals.

The star midfielder was hurt in the second term as he was tagged out of the game by Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness. 

While the 20-year-old will not require surgery, he will not in all likelihood sit out Collingwood’s qualifying final in Week 1 of the finals. 

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Larkins suggested a six-week absence was the most optimistic recovery timeframe and warned even in those circumstances Daicos would not be doing any running for almost a month.

Nick Daicos (right) has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury he suffered Saturday

‘A hairline fracture means it doesn’t need surgery but you can’t put any weight on it. 

‘It’s an unusual injury which we see in the world of skiers but six weeks is the most optimistic prediction,’ he said.

‘So it could easily be four weeks before he jogs a lap. Six weeks is an optimistic but also realistic projection. 

‘You have six weeks before you are training properly. It’s a big call to play someone who has been injured that long in a final. 

‘He won’t be at risk of re-injury but it will be interesting to see how much he is able to do in four weeks’ time.’

The surprise defeat against 16th-placed Hawthorn has proved costly for Collingwood, who have also lost defender Nathan Murphy for two to three weeks with an ankle injury. 

The star defender was diagnosed with a low-grade syndesmosis injury in his right ankle.

‘Nathan and Nick have played important roles this season, they are consummate professionals and will do all they can to progress though their rehab,’ said Collingwood football boss Graham Wright.

The Magpies gun suffered a hairline fracture in the lateral tibial plateau of the right knee joint

The injury occurred as Daicos was tagged out of the game by Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness

While Collingwood remain top of the ladder, the injuries to Daicos and Murphy come on top of successive upset losses to Carlton and Hawthorn.

It is the first time the Magpies have lost two in a row since rounds eight and nine last season.

Collingwood host reigning premiers Geelong at the MCG on Friday night and then welcome the fourth-placed Brisbane Lions a week later. 

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