Midfielder Steven Salopek will be out of action for two months after x-rays revealed he had a fracture in his left ankle.

Salopek was due to ‘undergo a minor procedure’ on Tuesday to have a screw inserted into the ankle to stabilise the fracture.

Doctors estimate Salopek will be unable to play for the next two months.

It puts Salopek’s chances of playing again this season in some doubt as two months of rehabilitation would take Salopek right up to the Power’s Round 21 game against Geelong.

Salopek went off early in the third term of Sunday’s win over Essendon after rolling his ankle while being tackled near the interchange gate on the members’ wing.

It is a tough break for Salopek who after his first injury-free season in 2006 was consolidating his excellent form in 2007 despite missing two weeks this year with hamstring tightness.

Since arriving at the club in 2002, Salopek has been cursed by injuries which have included a shoulder reconstruction and glandular fever.