COLLINGWOOD key forward Mason Cox has been ruled out of the year, needing surgery on a tear in the retina in his left eye. 

The Pies big man was poked in the eye late in the second quarter against Gold Coast on Sunday, sat out the rest of the match and was taken to hospital, suffering blurred vision. 

He will undergo surgery later this week, with the club saying he requires an extended break from physical activity in his recovery. 

It leaves an already injury-decimated Collingwood – who earlier on Monday ruled out Dayne Beams for the year due to shoulder surgery – with an enormous hole both up forward and in the second ruck role. 

"Mason has been advised that after the surgery he will need a number of weeks rest, which means that he will not play again this season," Collingwood general manager of football Geoff Walsh said. 

"You don't take risks with situations like this. A second appointment with a specialist this morning confirmed that Mason suffered a tear to his retina that needs surgical repair.

"It is obviously a disappointment, especially for Mason, but importantly he is expected to make a complete recovery. We look forward to his return to the club."