North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says Harry Sheezel is unlikely to be available for their final round clash with Sydney after suffering a nasty blow to his cheekbone.
Sheezel didn’t return after a head clash with Geelong tagger Oisin Mullin in the second term of Saturday’s loss to the Cats.
The North star will undergo scans ahead of the side’s clash with Sydney on Sunday in Round 24.
Clarkson said: “He’s obviously a bit sore and sorry. I think that was a clash of heads in the middle of the ground.
“He knew immediately he was in a bit of trouble. Came from the ground which is a shame for him.
“He’ll get that checked out and scanned throughout the course of the week, but given the swelling around the eye and the bruising, it’s pretty unlikely he’s going to be available next week.”
Clarkson clarified it wasn’t concussion, which would’ve sent him into 12-day protocols ruling him out of Round 24, rather just the cheekbone.
“No, I think it’s just the cheekbone,” Clarkson said.
“He was fine. He was in a bit of pain and discomfort, but he had his wits about him.
“With the eye closed over and he couldn’t see, then he couldn’t participate in the game any further.”
