Collingwood star Darcy Moore won’t return to training until the new year after suffering from a shock bone infection, the club has confirmed.
Moore faces a delayed start to the pre-season after being diagnosed with osteomyelitis – which has symptoms including fever, fatigue and swelling.
The star defender was taken to hospital after falling ill but is now recovery at home, the club said.
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Moore hadn’t been spotted out on the track with veteran teammates like Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom for sessions including the 2km time trial.
He only recently returned from an overseas trip to Europe.
Moore is the second injury concern for the Magpies after star Jordan De Goey opted to go under the knife for a persistent shoulder problem.
De Goey will also remain away from the training track until the new year after undergoing a “minor arthroscope” on his right shoulder this week.
“Jordan had been managing that right shoulder towards the end of our campaign and while we have given it every opportunity to settle over the off season, after consulting with a specialist in recent days, it was determined a clean-up is the best course of action for him,” Wright explained.
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“At this stage, we expect Jordan to be back to full training by January.”
Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth confirmed the surgery was on the same shoulder De Goey injured in the 2022 finals series.
When asked why the club didn’t opt for surgery immediately after the heartbreaking one-point preliminary final loss to Sydney, Skipworth said the club had tried to avoid that option for as long as possible.
“My understanding is these injuries you give them as much time as you can to heal without surgery. Surgery is like the last thing you want to go to – especially straight away,” he said.
“We didn’t want to affect the pre-season much longer, so it was get him in and get him back running.”
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The Magpies also allayed any fears for young talent Nick Daicos who appeared sore at training earlier this week.
“Nick, he had a little grumpy Achilles thing that he dealt with last session,” Skipworth said.
“He’s put on 4kg and he won our time trial – we can afford now he’s come back in unbelievable shape to get him right.”
