MATHEW Stokes has been ruled out of Geelong's big clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, although Harry Taylor is a strong chance to return.
Stokes, who has been one of the Cats' most consistent midfielders this season, suffered an ankle injury during the loss to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium last weekend.
"That's a reasonably significant ankle issue, so he certainly won't play this week," Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Wednesday morning.
"The long-term prognosis is a bit more uncertain."
The Cats' medical staff fears that Stokes could be sidelined for a month or more but Scott wouldn’t narrow down a return date any further.
"They're telling us somewhere between two and eight (weeks)," Scott said. "It won't be eight. It'll be more than one."
Taylor missed the loss to the Suns after suffering a knee injury during the previous match against St Kilda.
"We're optimistic that Taylor will be right," Scott said. "But again, we can't categorically say that just now. But we're pretty hopeful."
Ruckman Hamish McIntosh, who has been battling an undisclosed lower leg injury since the Suns game, is also a good chance to line up on Friday night, as is George Horlin-Smith.
The emerging midfielder, who looms as a potential replacement for Stokes, is fit again after missing the match against Gold Coast with a back problem.
Horlin-Smith was one of the few Cats players who trained outdoors at Simonds Stadium on Wednesday, and appeared to be moving freely.
"He's been a good player for us this year, so he'll be one option for us," Scott said after being asked who would take Stokes' spot in the middle of the ground.
"Josh Caddy played as a sub last week in his first game back (from a foot injury). We're optimistic he'll be better this week.
"And Allen Christensen played his first game back (after a back injury) as well, so we think he'll be able to give us even more."
Christensen was in the news after the club okayed him to play on, following a heavy knock late in the game with the Suns.
It was reported that the AFL was investigating the matter, but Scott said the claim was untrue.
"There was no concussion," he said. "Let's be really clear. There's no AFL investigation.
"Any speculation that there's an ongoing investigation is false."
Scott was reluctant to divulge which of his men is likely to play on three-time Geelong premiership player Paul Chapman, who will line up against the Cats for the first time on Friday night.
"I think (our players will) be looking forward to playing him as much as he's looking forward to playing us," Scott said.
"He's still a good player, a good player for them, and he understands the position he's in and the position our club's in.
"But that doesn't take away from the theatre, and I think he'll embrace it and we'll embrace it as well."
The Geelong fans might yet have a new No. 35 to cheer on, with the youngster who has taken over the number, Jarrad Jansen, a good chance to debut after a best on ground performance in the VFL last weekend.
