Collingwood forward Travis Varcoe to undergo shoulder surgery after sustaining injury at training

Collingwood’s return to pre-season training has been soured with veteran forward Travis Varcoe suffering an injury that will force him to miss the start of the home and away season.

Collingwood’s return to pre-season training has been soured with veteran forward Travis Varcoe suffering a shoulder injury that will see him miss the start of the home and away season.

In a big blow to his 2020 campaign, the Pies confirmed Varcoe would require a shoulder reconstruction after injuring the joint during drills on Monday.

Varcoe, who has endured shoulder injuries throughout his career and regularly plays with both joints heavily strapped, will likely be missing at least three months.

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Travis Varcoe will have surgery to reconstruct a shoulder. Pic: Getty Images

“The injury is disappointing for Trav, who has put a lot of work in to his pre-season training,” Pies performance manager Marcus Wagner said.

“While Trav will miss some early rounds of the season, we’ll have a better idea of his return date once he’s out of surgery.”

Varcoe has played 221 AFL matches – 83 with Collingwood – since being drafted by Geelong with pick 15 in the 2005 national draft.

The 31-year-old was involved in a complex trade at the end of 2014 – involving Dayne Beams, Mitch Clark and Heretier Lumumba – which saw him leave the Cats for the Holden Centre.

The two-time premiership player chalked up 16 games last year but was overlooked for selection during the Magpies’ Septembercampaign.

He signed a new one-year contract last November.

Originally published as Collingwood forward Travis Varcoe to undergo shoulder surgery after sustaining injury at training