COLLINGWOOD defender Marty Clarke will miss the rest of 2013 after having season-ending surgery on his right ankle.
Clarke injured ligaments in his ankle while playing for the Magpies' VFL team against Williamstown two weeks ago.
He was listed as a test on the club's official injury list last week, but the club has decided to end his season after he had scans.
The 25-year-old has managed just nine senior games this season and has been in and out of the senior line up at various stages this year.
Director of Football Rodney Eade said surgery last week on Clarke's ankle revealed the damage.
"Marty underwent surgery last week and the damage to ligaments in his ankle was unfortunately worse than first thought," Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"As a result, he will miss the rest of this year. It does mean, though, that he will be fully recovered and ready once pre-season starts."
In better news for the Pies, star midfielder Dale Thomas is a strong chance to play in the VFL this Saturday.
Thomas will face a fitness test later in the week and the club will eagerly await how his ankle pulls up after the club's main training session on Tuesday morning.
However, third-year forward Alex Fasolo, who joined Thomas in rehab, will miss the rest of the year, as expected.
Fasolo had surgery on his fractured foot in early May.
Dashing wingman Clinton Young remains at least one or two weeks away from a return, while speedster Caolan Mooney will be assessed after sustaining concussion in the VFL at the weekend.
