Sydney's already busy treatment room has become a little more crowded with news that star small forward Tom Papley could be sidelined for up to two months.
Swans coach Dean Cox confirmed on Thursday that scans had revealed a fracture in the 28-year-old's foot.
“Unfortunately, on the weekend, [Papley] cracked his heel,” Cox said.
“Looking at maybe six to eight weeks, but we’ll get more verification on that in the following days but it’s not great news.”
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Papley joins a host of Swans on the sidelines, with several of them having their return timelines pushed back this week.
Both Callum Mills, Taylor Adams and Robbie Fox have either had setbacks or are recovering slower than anticipated, while Errol Gulden, Lewis Melican and Harry Cunningham remain out of action.
In some rare positive injury news at the club this year, key forward Logan McDonald is available for selection and will be brought back through the VFL for his first outing of the year following an ankle injury.
The Swans take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Sydney secured their first points of the season against Fremantle before having a week off with the bye, while the Kangaroos also sit 1-2, having lost to Adelaide in round three.
Cox said the club's squad depth will be tested amid the crippling injury toll.
“We’ve just got to get through it and give opportunities to some other players which they've taken," Cox added.
“I love playing kids or playing players who probably thought they weren't a chance two, three, four weeks ago. That's where the real excitement comes from.”
“So they've shown, with the like of Riley Bice, Tom Hanily, Corey Warner and Angus Sheldrick and Caiden Cleary who will come in at some stage, they can withstand the AFL demands and play the footy we need them to.”