Sam Weideman could make his long-awaited return to Melbourne's line-up this week after the club confirmed big man Luke Jackson would miss the clash against Carlton.
Jackson has been one of the Demons' many shining lights to start the season, but broke his finger in Melbourne's Round Eight win over Sydney and has undergone surgery.
The 19-year-old is expected to miss up to two weeks with the injury, and Weideman, who has booted 14 goals in three VFL matches, could slot into Simon Goodwin's side.
Jackson's injury presents a golden opportunity for the 23-year-old Weideman to show off his AFL credentials, with the key forward out of contract at the end of the season.
"It's an unfortunate hiccup in Luke's 2021 season, which to date seen him producing some solid and consistent football for us," Melbourne's GM of AFL performance, Alan Richardson, said in a club statement.
"However, the positive news is that the required surgery was minor and as a result, we expect he will only miss 1-2 games of footy.
"Luke has been a really important contributor for us this year and we look forward to having him back on the field soon."
Jackson, the No.3 pick in the 2019 draft, has been a revelation both up forward and in deputising for skipper Max Gawn in the ruck during stretches.
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