Cats to keep Cowan in 2015 after midfielder ruled out for rest of season
GEELONG will keep Josh Cowan on its list in 2015, despite the luckless midfielder being ruled out for the rest of this season due to another leg problem.
The 23-year-old, who underwent successful surgery on his right Achilles in London early last year, will undergo a similar operation on his left Achilles next week.
This time the surgery will take place in Geelong.
"He's got a little anomaly … down in his Achilles," club physio Mike Snelling told CatsTV.
"There's a little muscle and tendon called plantaris, and that has sort of … grown into his Achilles.
"He'll have that excised in surgery next week."
Cowan's recovery from the operation is expected to take around 12 weeks.
"All things going well, he should be up and running for the beginning of pre-season," Snelling said.
"Hopefully we then see him for a full year next year."
AFL.com.au understands that Cowan has been told that he will remain with the Cats next season.
But no decision has been made about whether the speedy onballer stays on the senior list or is redrafted as a rookie.
Recruited from Daylesford via the North Ballarat Rebels, Cowan made his AFL debut in 2011.
He played three games at the highest level that season but is yet to play another one.
'Who knows?' Star Roos could cost each other a shot at W B&F
And North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker remains bemused why Jasmine Garner isn't already a League B&F winner
Timings, contenders, honours: Full W Awards preview
What time does the Best and Fairest count start? Who are the leading contenders? Who's eligible for the Rising Star award? AFL.com.au has you covered with our complete W Awards preview
Who wins the AFLW Rising Star? Our experts have their say
There's no shortage of talented youngsters in the AFLW, but who is most likely to take out the Rising Star award? AFL.com.au's AFLW experts take a look at the top contenders
'Giving us grief': The decisive shift that turned prelim in Lions' favour
Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich reveals how his team rolled over the top of Adelaide to reach another Grand Final