Melbourne young gun Caleb Windsor in hospital as defender Steven May seeks treatment for fractured larynx

Two key Melbourne players will be sidelined for the immediate future as both deal with unusual injuries.

Star Melbourne defender Steven May won’t be back in the short term after coach Simon Goodwin confirmed he would need to see a specialist to fix the fractured larynx suffered at training while revealing young star Caleb Windsor has been hospitalised with a foot infection.

May, 33, was a late withdrawal from his team’s round 1 clash with GWS after copping the injury, similar to the one that sidelined Melbourne captain Max Gawn for six weeks during the pre-season.

Goodwin was confident May would be back sooner rather than later and the injury was “not as bad” as Gawn’s.

But he said specialist advice over the coming days would determine May’s return.

“We’ll have a bit more of an update on where it sits from there,” Goodwin said on Friday.

“He’s progressing really well. He’s got his voice back and speaking, which is good.”

Steven May is out indefinitely. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“It’s probably more shorter term than longer term, and once we get that specialist report we’ll be able to give a bit more information.”

Goodwin revealed he would have to make another forced changed to Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne after 19-year-old Windsor was sent to hospital for treatment on his foot, having pulled up sore after last weekend’s loss to the Giants.

Windsor dealt with the issue during the pre-season but Goodwin couldn’t confirm when he’d be back.

“It is a bit of a setback … he’s actually been in hospital having some antibiotics,” Goodwin said.

“It’s all heading in the right direction and he should be out in the next day or so.

“He won’t play this week but it’s very short-term and we just need to make sure we get on top of that infection.”

Caleb Windsor won’t play. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Melbourne was overrun by GWS late at the MCG, a goal inside the final two minutes deciding the match.

Despite the result, Goodwin was buoyed by the performance of midfield stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver after tumultuous summers during which both made moves to exit the club before staying.

“To get them all back together operating well inside the centre square and around clearance is really important for us,” Goodwin said.

“Like for any team, to have your best players up and running and impacting the game is significant.

“To have those guys doing what they do – and you can see where they’re going to get to – is exciting for our supporters.”