ALEX Fasolo has been left "a bit dirty" after his AFL comeback lasted less than half a game, ended by a suspected ankle syndesmosis injury.

The Collingwood forward's right ankle twisted under him in a tackle during the second quarter of Saturday night's match against St Kilda and he went straight to the rooms for treatment before he was ruled out at half-time.

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Coach Nathan Buckley said the 25-year-old was upset that he was once again facing time on the sidelines.

"We think it's a syndesmosis ankle injury, but he'll have a scan," Buckley said.

"These days they can really linger and hang around, so we'll know more about it when we get the scans.

"Clearly, getting his opportunity and then getting injured in the game, he's a bit dirty. He's got plenty of emotions going on, but we'll get around him. It's pretty early in the year, so we'll give him plenty of time."

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The mercurial forward had a delayed start to the pre-season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

He then spent several weeks in the VFL building match fitness before finally breaking into the senior side nine rounds into the season.

He had struggled to get his hands on the ball in the quarter-and-a-half he had on the ground, recording just two disposals, one mark and one tackle.