Sean Lemmens is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks after scans confirmed he would need surgery on his left ankle.
The medium forward was trying to win the football in the dying stages of JLT1 when his ankle was caught underneath a would-be tackler.
Lemmens left the field assisted by club medical staff.
WATCH: Sour finish for bruised Lemmens
Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull told the Alpha Sport Injury Update Lemmens would begin his rehab post-surgery.
“Unfortunately for Sean in the last tackle of the game he suffered a high ankle sprain,” he said.
“We’ll consult with an ankle surgeon this week and likely have surgery.
“They usually last 6-8 weeks in their rehab but we do know that Sean will attack that with his usual professionalism and give himself every chance to be back as soon as possible.”
George Horlin-Smith also sustained a minor ankle injury but is expected to be fit for Round 1.
“George rolled his ankle in the first quarter and managed to play out the game really well,” Bull said.
“We’ll take a pretty conservative approach with George this week which means he’ll be unlikely to be available for selection.
“George will be back in training well before Round 1 though.”
In positive news, Tom Nicholls has recovered from a corked calf suffered in the practice match last week and will train fully this week to be available for selection in JLT2.
