EMERGING Melbourne defender Colin Garland will miss up to four months of football after a stress fracture was discovered in his right foot.

The 20-year-old pulled up sore from the Demons' 34-point loss to North Melbourne last Sunday and will have surgery on his navicular bone on Monday.

He was left out of the squad named on Thursday night to play Collingwood.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said Garland's injury was a blow for his side.

"This is obviously disappointing for Colin and for the team," he told melbournefc.com.au. "Colin is a vital player for us, but his longevity in the game is important.

"While this is a short hiccup we look forward to having him back in the later rounds of this season."

Garland was poised to form a healthy defensive combination with teammates Matthew Warnock and Jared Rivers.

At best, it will be towards the end of the Demons' 2009 campaign before he can resume.

Garland missed two games last year with a hamstring injury, soon after claiming the round 14 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.