HAWTHORN champion Shaun Burgoyne will miss about a month of football as he recovers from his second hamstring injury of the year.

The 35-year-old had never suffered a soft tissue injury in his illustrious career, but two in the space of three months adds a new dimension to talks with the Hawks that have just commenced about playing on again in 2019.

Burgoyne’s latest setback occurred during the third quarter of Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast at the University of Tasmania Stadium.

He didn't have the injury strapped or iced up at the end of the game, leading to hopes it was just a cramp, but scans on Monday revealed it was more serious.

"He had some signs, and we knew he had a low-grade hamstring injury at the time, but the scan suggested it is a little bit worse,” said Hawthorn high-performance manager Andrew Russell. 

Jack Gunston played the game out against the Suns – and did pretty well – despite suffering a corked calf in the opening minute. Russell said the star utility pulled up sore afterwards, but is expected to play in Saturday night’s crunch game against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.

Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, who pulled out of last week's game because of a strained quadriceps muscle, is expected to train fully this week and be available to play against the Giants.

The Hawks have provided no update on Cyril Rioli, who has been in Darwin in the last fortnight on personal leave. However, it is understood he is expected back at the club in time to play a meaningful role in the run home to the finals.

The Hawks are in ninth place, outside the eight on percentage.