BROWNLOW Medal favourite Scott Pendlebury has been ruled out of Collingwood's clash with Melbourne on Monday at the MCG after cracking his tibia.
The star midfielder was injured in a first-quarter clash with Gold Coast's Josh Caddy during Sunday's game at the MCG and was subbed out at half-time.
"Scott Pendlebury had a scan this morning and that's revealed a slight crack to the top of his tibia," Collingwood football director Geoff Walsh said on Monday.
"He certainly won't play this week and we'll put him on crutches for three or four days so that reduces the weight-bearing issue.
"We've got a bye the following week so our medical team will reassess it after that."
Walsh said he was confident Pendlebury would only miss one match.
"In the scheme of things, it's a minor injury but he certainly wouldn't play this week and the fact that we've got a bye the following week is probably opportune because he wouldn't get up the following week," Walsh said.
"Beyond that, we're pretty confident that he'll get up probably for the third game."
Fourth-placed Collingwood would be especially keen to have Pendlebury back in action for round 13 when they host competition leaders West Coast on June 23 at the MCG.
Collingwood's 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan (hamstring) is likely to return for the Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne.
Defender Chris Tarrant has played two VFL games in his comeback from a calf injury.
"He pulled up OK, so Chris will be forcing his claims for senior selection," Walsh said.