LIONS Elite Performance Manager Brett Burton says Michael Close will have surgery this week to repair his ruptured ACL.

The emerging forward will miss the remainder of the season after landing awkwardly attempting a mark at Etihad Stadium in Sunday’s loss to North Melbourne.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing for Closey, it was a pretty innocuous incident which often they are with those ACL’s,” Burton said.

“It’s just one incident that can tear that ACL. He got the result yesterday and will catch up with the doctor and the specialist today to determine the next few days.

“We’re providing plenty of support around him at the moment and he’ll get operated on this week.”

Burton told the Bupa Recovery Report that defender Justin Clarke was taken to hospital as a precaution following the match. 

“Clarkey copped a kick into the abdomen in a marking contest.

“He played out the game but was quite sore after the game and we were concerned he might have had some internal bleeding.

“We sent him to hospital to get some scans but they were all clear.

“He’s pretty sore at the moment but he should be fine for the weekend.”

While ruckman Archie Smith suffered a knee injury in the Club’s NEAFL loss on Saturday and will require surgery.

“He’s being operated on today to tidy up that meniscus and that’s usually a 4-6 week injury.”