CARLTON has confirmed star midfielder Marc Murphy will have surgery to repair his fractured cheekbone on Monday and appears likely to face up to a month on the sidelines.

The Carlton skipper came off second-best after a collision with Hawthorn counterpart Luke Hodge in the second quarter, and was subsequently taken to hospital for scans in the third quarter of the Blues' 15-point loss to the Hawks at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The club sent Murphy to hospital for scans in the third quarter.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse confirmed Murphy’s injury after the game, and expressed his bewilderment that his skipper didn't receive a free kick for the incident.

"I'm sure it was an accident. I wouldn't dare suggest there's a report, because I don't think there is," Malthouse said on Friday night.

"It's a free kick. Have I missed something recently?"

Jacqui Reed is a reporter at AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @JacquiReedAFL