WILL Langford is a casualty of Hawthorn's gruelling New Zealand training camp, heading home early for finger surgery.
The 25-year-old midfielder flew back home and is recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured tendon.
“Will presented with the injury on Tuesday and under advice from our medical team, we thought it was best for him to fly home and undergo surgery,” said Hawks general manager of football, Jason Burt.
“He will be back in the ball program once training resumes in January.
“It's disappointing. Will won't be able to partake in the rest of the group's pre-season camp, however this is only a minor injury setback which shouldn't see him sidelined for too long.”
Langford, the star of the 2014 finals series, began to find some form and consistency towards the end of last season, after injury and form concerns in the intervening periods.
The Hawks are just starting the second half of their annual pre-Christmas camp in Queenstown and are heading into the mountains for hiking, rafting and various outdoor activities.
Langford joins Jarryd Roughead on the sidelines, with the Hawks skipper sidelined until early next year after minor knee surgery. Cyril Rioli also missed the camp while dealing with a family illness in the Northern Territory.
The Hawks open their JLT Community Series with a clash against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat on March 3.
Will Langford on day one of the Hawks' training camp in New Zealand. Picture: hawthornfc.com.au
