Allen Christensen is set to miss eight weeks of football after breaking his right collarbone in the Lions' loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Lions Medical Staff initially thought the injury would keep the 25-year-old out for a month, but scans revealed the break was worse than first thought.

Christensen was injured late in the second quarter when he was collected by a bump from the Blues’ Andrew Walker. He left the field, aided by Club physios and did not take any further part in the game.

“It was quite a complicated break and we had to operate on that on Saturday night,” said Lions Head of Physiotherapy Shane Lemcke.

“He is recovering well but it will keep him out for quite a while given the severity of the break.”

Hugh Beasley in his return match in the NEAFL suffered another injury blow that will see the defender miss the next eight weeks of football.

“Hugh was unlucky. He hurt his knee again in a different spot,” Lemcke said.

“He sprained his superior tib-fib joint which will keep him out for a couple of months unfortunately.”

Lions Health Centre: Injury List

In other injury news, Archie Smith was concussed following a heavy knock in the Reserves – he will be monitored by Lions Medical Staff during the week to assess his availability.

“Archie suffered a concussion that kept him out for the second half of the game.

“He’s recovering well. We’re putting him through our standard concussion protocol to make sure he is right but he is recovering well and should be OK by the weekend.”

Michael Close (foot and wrist) and Sam Skinner (ACL) made their return to football in the Reserves loss to Canberra on Saturday.

Close fractured his right wrist and injured a ligament in his right foot in the Reserves’ Round 2 loss to Redland, while Skinner hadn’t played since May 2015 after suffering an ACL injury in the NAB AFL U18 Championships.

“Sam got through his first game in twelve months,” Lemcke said.

“His knee pulled up perfectly. He’s a little bit sore as you’d expect for his first game back but it’s a really pleasing return for him.”

The Lions are expected to welcome back key defender Harris Andrews, while midfielder Rohan Bewick and defender Darcy Gardiner are also in the frame for selection.

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