STAR midfielder Sam Walsh is out of Carlton's clash with West Coast on Sunday, and will miss up to six weeks after suffering a stress reaction in his foot.
Walsh reported soreness in his foot after the Blues' training session on Friday, and underwent scans to determine the extent of the injury.
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He has avoided a stress fracture and does not need surgery, but the 24-year-old has a 'hot spot' in his foot and will miss at least a month.
Jaxon Binns replaces Walsh in the Blues' squad to face the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening.
"It’s more in the early stages which is why the timeline isn’t as long as what it could’ve been," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of Walsh's injury on Saturday.
"We’re fortunate enough we caught it early, but all these things always come with inconvenient timing.
"It’s inconvenient for everyone, for him and for us.
"He’s a real pro. Once he knows what he's dealing with, he turns his mind into his rehab, how he can get better and how to get the most out of the situation.
"He’ll take his five or six weeks and hopefully we get him back better and stronger."
Walsh is certain to miss games against the Eagles, North Melbourne (MCG), Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Collingwood (MCG) and Brisbane (MCG). He could return to face Melbourne at the MCG in round 19 at the earliest, or Hawthorn at the MCG in round 20.
The Blues' season is in the balance at 5-7, and Walsh's absence from the midfield is a blow that Michael Voss' side can ill afford.
