ADELAIDE utility Ricky Henderson will miss the majority of the 2014 season after scans confirmed he had suffered a broken fibula at the ankle.
The 25-year-old, who sustained the injury on Monday morning, will undergo surgery to insert a plate in his left ankle before starting an extensive rehabilitation program.
Henderson was involved in a session for players who didn't take part in Sunday's NAB Challenge win over Port Adelaide when he was tackled in the final minutes of the session.
"Obviously, somewhere in that process he’s lost his balance and there’s been a distribution of weight [through his leg]," list manager David Noble told the club's website.
"He’s had a terrific pre-season campaign and through an accident at training it’s put his season on hold."
Henderson, who started his career on the rookie list, played 14 games last year before a knee injury ended his season.
Noble said the club was capable of covering the running defender in 2014.
"Rick’s a crucial part of our backline, but you look at yesterday and we had Cam Ellis-Yolmen out there … we didn’t have Brent Reilly running around and we know Brodie Smith has played some terrific footy off half-back," Noble said.
"It’s obviously not ideal, but we’re capable of being able to cover the loss."
Teammate David Mackay said the players were shattered for the exciting Crow.
"I was inside doing recovery when it happened, so I don’t know too much about the details but the boys are really devastated for Rick," Mackay said.
"He’s a popular bloke around the club and a terrific player. He’s really important for us.
"The boys are really flat about it. It’s one of those things being involved in this game. These injuries happen sometimes and it’s really unfortunate."
