GOLD Coast midfielder Michael Barlow will have surgery on a fractured jaw on Friday and could miss up to a month of football.

Barlow sustained the injury in last weekend's NEAFL match against Southport and played the game out.

Suffering only minor pain, the veteran trained early in the week, but scans confirmed a minor fracture.

He will have a plate inserted to help the healing.

Suns coach Stuart Dew said he could miss anywhere from one week to a month.

"(He) copped a knock really early (during the game against Southport) on the weekend, so it’s disappointing for Mick," Dew told goldcoastfc.com.au.

"He'll get some surgery and then depending on how it looks when they get in there … we should have him back (within) max a month I'd say.”

"But it could be 1-4 weeks, it's one of those ones that until they actually get in to see, we'll know more after that."

After moving east from Fremantle prior to the 2017 season, Barlow has been dogged by injury.

The 30-year-old played 12 matches last season before breaking his leg against Carlton in round 13.

He has played just one senior match this year, against Adelaide in round six.