Pies lose Roughead for AFL early rounds

Collingwood defender Jordan Roughead will miss the start of the AFL season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The 31-year-old veteran had an arthroscopy on Thursday morning to fix an ongoing issue in his right shoulder.

It means Roughead will be sidelined for the round-one clash with St Kilda on March 18, with the Magpies also taking on Adelaide, Geelong and West Coast across the opening month of the season.

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"Jordan has been managing the shoulder for some time but it reached a point where surgery was required," Collingwood football manager Graham Wright said.

"The expectation is that he will be out of the selection frame for eight weeks or so, which could see him available by rounds five or six.

"We're certainly hopeful of that."

Roughead has been an important contributor for Collingwood in three seasons since crossing from the Western Bulldogs, where he was part of the 2016 premiership side.

The 200-game defender has played 62 of a possible 65 matches for the Magpies, forming a strong partnership with fellow key position player Darcy Moore.

Roughead's injury blow comes after Irish defender Mark Keane last month opted to remain in his home country, leaving the Magpies with one year left to run on his contract.

Off-season recruits Nathan Krueger (Geelong) and Charlie Dean (rookie draft) could be used to fill the Roughead hole alongside Moore and Jeremy Howe.

Meanwhile, West Coast are sweating on the results of scans on small forward Jamie Cripps' injured right shoulder.

Cripps was hurt during match simulation at training on Friday and walked off the field, taking no further part in the session.