CARLTON vice-captain Sam Walsh is expected to be sidelined for at least the first month of the 2022 AFL season after suffering an ankle syndesmosis injury.

Walsh suffered the injury after being tackled during match simulation, with further specialist advice today confirming that surgery would be required for the 21-year-old.

Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd said the mountain of work put in by Walsh during the pre-season to date would hold him in good shape for an early-season return.

“It is obviously disappointing news for Sam: he’d completed every session so far over the summer but unfortunately these incidents are a part of footy – Sam will throw everything into his rehab and his teammates will continue to do the same for the start of the season,” Lloyd said.

“Sam leads from the front with his professionalism and commitment every day he walks through the doors of the footy club and there’s no doubt he will take the same approach to his recovery over the coming weeks.

“We’ll continue to assess Sam throughout his recovery, at this stage we expect him to be available to play again after the first month of the season has been complete.

“There has been some real competition for spots in that midfield group over the summer so we look forward to seeing who puts their hand up and takes their chance over the coming weeks.”

The Blues will take part in two pre-season games against St Kilda (24 February) and Melbourne (3 March) ahead of the season kicking off on 17 March.