STAR Wedderburn forward Mitch Jensen will be sidelined indefinitely with a fractured tibia.
Jensen, who joined the Redbacks this season, was injured against St Arnaud in round two before the Easter break, leaving the field late in the game after kicking 10 goals.
Wedderburn coach Tom Metherell said he was confident the injury would not be season ending for the impressive recruit.
Initial scans showed a hairline fracture of the tibia, but no ligament damage.
Further tests were needed, Metherell said, to determine how long Jensen would be missing.
“We’re still getting the final word from the doctors,” he said.
“But we don’t think it will be too long – it won’t be a ridiculous amount.
“And it won’t be the season.”
A former VFL premiership player with Footscray, Melbourne-based Jensen still trains with the Bulldogs during the week and has access to the club’s medical team.
While playing predominantly forward, Jensen also has had spells in the midfield for the Redbacks. Metherell said the versatile 30-year-old would be missed give his excellent start to the season, “but I think we have players that can fill a role”.
Wedderburn is fifth on the North Central ladder with a win and a loss.
The Redbacks face the league’s new club Calder United at Wycheproof on Saturday.
Both sides have been defeated by reigning premiers Sea Lake Nandaly so far this season.