PHIL Davis can expect a minimum of two months out of the game as he recovers from a kidney bleed, leading sports medico Dr Peter Larkins believes.
The Greater Western Sydney co-captain is expected to be moved out of intensive care in a Sydney hospital in the next 24 hours after being treated for the kidney injury over the past three days.
Davis, 23, suffered the "significant injury" to his kidney in the first quarter against the Swans but it wasn't until after the game he became aware of the injury when the pain flared up.
Dr Larkins said Davis' return would take time and could extend to at least eight weeks if no other treatment was required.
"It's a nasty injury and clearly his future is indefinite in terms of playing," Dr Larkins told AFL.com.au on Wednesday.
"My best estimate is that it would be a minimum of six to eight weeks – the best scenario.
"They won't expose him to any contact sport.
"It's too early to predict at this stage whether he may require further medical treatment for his kidney injury."
The Giants confirmed Davis was progressing well after three days of treatment, following his admission to hospital after the game.
"We are pleased that he has shown some very positive signs over the past 24 hours which is encouraging for everyone," Giants' CEO David Matthews told the club's website.
"His family has been with him during this time and wish to thank everybody for their thoughts and well wishes.
"Our primary concern is obviously Phil's health and recovery.
"At this stage it's still hard to say how long that recovery period will be but he is progressing well and resting comfortably."
Dr Larkins said Davis' injury was not discovered until after the game as he wouldn't have experienced pain until the swelling reached a certain level.
He explained the bleeding from the accidental injury would have seeped into the wrapping around the kidney and would not have caused an issue until it had gradually expanded.
"He's had a contusion or a hematoma, which is a bleeding condition that gradually builds up," he said.
"It's a bit like a balloon; it gradually builds up until the pressure reaches a point where he felt the pain.
"Initially he wouldn't have felt the pain because the pressure wouldn't have been at a point where it registered."
The injury is a big blow for Davis, as he was looking to put the back injury that robbed him of nine games last season behind him, and play in a reinforced Giants' backline that got the job done against the Swans in round one.
