WHILE Nick Malceski has been dubbed ‘the bionic man’ following his successful return from a revolutionary knee reconstruction just three months ago, Sydney Swans’ coach Paul Roos said that Tadhg Kennelly needs a “bionic body” to overcome his continuing bad run with injury.

After the Irishman was treated for a shoulder injury in the rooms at quarter time, he returned in the second term only to hobble off soon afterwards with a dislocated knee cap.

Kennelly looked in considerable pain and played no further part in the contest and will have scans tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury.

“I think he needs a bionic body Tadhg,” Roos joked after the Swans 91-point win over Essendon.

“He’s really been bashed around. He’s probably thinking:‘why did I come here?’

"In Gaelic footy they don’t tackle.

"He’s the only man in history to have an upper limb and a lower limb (injury) in the same day - he’s quite unique Tadhg.”

It’s not the first time Kennelly has dislocated a knee but Roos said he was hopeful that this particular injury isn’t as serious.

“The reaction’s not as bad so it depends more on the damage done.

"At this stage it doesn’t look anywhere near as bad as last time but we’ll find out tomorrow.”

Roos admitted that it was ironic to lose the defender on the same day that Malceski had come through his first game back unscathed.

“I don’t know how many games they’ve played together, it’s a bit disappointing but hopefully it’s not too bad and hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible.”

While Roos said he was pleased to see Malceski make it through his first game back, he isn’t celebrating just yet.

“It’s good. As we said at the press conference the other day it’s one game and it was good.

"He [played] 73 minutes, he looked good.

"He was able to perform pretty much the way we thought he would.

"But as I’ve said until the end of the year we’re not across the line.

"But as everyone saw today, the operation itself has been a success.

"The rehab’s been a success and hopefully he can keep going for the rest of the year.”