GEELONG defender Darren Milburn is likely to miss only this week’s clash with a groin injury, according to club football manager Neil Balme.
Milburn was somewhat of a surprise non-inclusion when the Cats named their 22 to take on the Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
But Balme said the wily backman had been suffering from general groin soreness rather than incurring a specific injury either at training or during his last match – when he was suspended for one game in his side’s win over Richmond in round 18.
“He’s a touch sore … he’s not too bad but he’s just a little bit sore in the groin,” Balme said.
“It’s just been something that he’s had. It’s been a little bit sore and it hasn’t quite recovered.”
Asked if the injury could pose a longer-term risk, Balme replied that he would be fine.
“We thought he’d play this week but he’s not quite right so I would expect him to play next week.”
Despite beating Melbourne by 116 points last week, the Cats faced the prospect of being forced to make at least two changes this week with Milburn and Paul Chapman (hamstring) both considered strong chances to return to the side earlier this week.
However the Cats will go into the clash unchanged with Chapman also ruled out after struggling to overcome a hamstring complaint suffered against Hawthorn in Geelong’s round 17 win.
The skilful forward is not believed to have suffered a major setback and will be considered for Geelong’s round 21 meeting with North Melbourne.
Despite not being able to consider two of their stars, Balme said it was “not the end of the world” for the ladder leaders.
