Blues head of football Brad Lloyd said the surgery would allow Curnow to make a full recovery in preparation for next season.

“We are confident surgery will be the right course of action to allow him to recover fully,” Lloyd said in a statement on Sunday.

“We expect he will be back running prior to Christmas as he prepares for the start of the 2020 season.

“While Charlie is really disappointed,he is determined to attack his rehab and do everything he possibly can to get back to his best and help his teammates achieve success next year.”

The incident was described by one source familiar with it as a freak accident,and the club said Curnow and his team mates had been playing"non-competitive''basketball. Curnow,who had setbacks with knee injuries this year,missed theCarlton best and fairest on Friday night.