The Brisbane Lions have been dealt another blow ahead of this Saturday’s QClash, with midfielder Rhys Mathieson ruled out of the game against the SUNS with an ankle injury.

The 20-year-old sprained his ankle at training and will now miss 4-6 weeks.

“Rhys Mathieson had a really bad sprain to his ankle,” Lions Head of Medical, Peter Blanch, told the club’s website.

“The sprain resulted in some ligament issues, including ligaments in the top of his ankle.

“Luckily it wasn’t bad enough that it required surgery, but he will be in rehabilitation for the next 4-6 weeks.”

Mathieson played 11 games in his debut season last year, kicking eight goals and averaging an impressive 18.3 disposals per game.

He joins fellow young guns Josh Schache and Hugh McCluggage on the sidelines for this Saturday night’s game at Metricon Stadium.