Collingwood’s Darcy Moore to miss up to a month with hamstring injury, Kayle Kirby out of hospital

COLLINGWOOD will be without young gun Darcy Moore for up to a month with a hamstring injury but reinforcements could be on the way as key players including Jordan De Goey, Daniel Wells and Jamie Elliott near a return.

Darcy Moore will miss up to a month with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty

COLLINGWOOD will face its month of truth without Darcy Moore as the Pies count the cost of their latest weekend of bad luck.

Pies footy boss Geoff Walsh says Moore’s hamstring injury will keep him out for 21-28 days after he entered Round 1 with a limited pre-season.

He will be sidelined along with Kayle Kirby (irregular heartbeat) and Tim Broomhead, out for 12 months with a double break of his leg.

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But Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and Daniel Wells (calf/achilles) will make long-awaited returns to VFL football this weekend.

Jamie Elliott is at least another week away.

The Pies take on fellow winless team Carlton on Friday night, determined to kickstart a winning run after a fighting loss to GWS on Saturday.

After the Blues, Collingwood takes on Adelaide in Adelaide then Essendon and Richmond at the MCG.

Ruck/forward Mason Cox seems certain to return to the side to help Brodie Grundy after a strong endorsement from Walsh.

Darcy Moore will miss up to a month with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty

Kirby’s collapse in a VFL game was a shock for all Collingwood players, with the young small forward discharged from hospital on Monday morning.

Sports medico Peter Larkins said on Monday he would likely make a strong return to football with medication or surgery.

But Walsh said the Pies were yet to work through his return to football, with Kirby unable to train until more medical advice.

“He has been discharged from hospital,” Walsh said.

“There was no contact or no incident, he just hit the deck. That is always a worry.

“So the investigation showed it was through an irregular heartbeat.

“Pleasingly that went back into rhythm from its own accord, so now we will have to investigate. The first indication is he won’t resume training until the docs are happy they are on top of it.”

Tim Broomhead is helped onto a stretcher after breaking two bones in his leg. Picture: Michael Klein

Moore was injured in the loss to GWS but hopes it might be a minor strain were quashed by scans over the weekend.

“It’s a typical hamstring strain — 21 to 28 days, I would have thought,” said Walsh.

“It’s not a super bad one, but not bad enough. Guys who have had limited pre-seasons are always a bit more susceptible.

“It’s a vicious cycle, you have to get him up going and he came back quickly and his first games he played were quite good.”

Broomhead’s surgery went as well as could be expected, not prepared to comment on discussions about a new contract now he is out for the year.

Given De Goey’s internal ban from the club, then minor hamstring strain, he will come back through the VFL before a potential Round 4 senior recall.

“He is out having a kick today, we would expect he will be available for selection this coming week, most likely that will inevitably be in the VFL,” Walsh said.