Star defender Nick Haynes will be sidelined for at least a fortnight due to a fractured cricoid (throat) suffered in Sunday’s match against the Western Bulldogs. 

Haynes copped a heavy hit on the wing just before half-time and despite bravely playing out the game, could miss up to a month. 

GIANTS General Manager Football Wayne Campbell said it’s an unusual injury suffered by the star defender, who’s in line to be named in his first Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team next month. 

“He got that hit on the weekend and he’s got a fractured cricoid bone or cartilage in his throat,” said Campbell. 

“He saw a specialist yesterday and is going to miss at least the next two weeks, if not up to the next four, so it’s pretty disappointing for Nick.

“It’s a very rare one. Our doctors haven’t seen one before and he managed to see out the game, but couldn’t breathe at the end of the game. The doctors did the right thing by him after that and disappointingly (he) will miss this week.”

In better news, star forward Jeremy Cameron is set to return to the field to celebrate his 150th match against the Gold Coast this Saturday night. 

Cameron missed round 22 with a hamstring complaint, but is expected to line up alongside Jeremy Finlayson (hamstring), Daniel Lloyd (calf) and Sam Taylor (hamstring) who are all available for selection. 

Meanwhile, co-captain Callan Ward has returned to running at the WestConnex Centre following season-ending knee surgery in April.

Something to brighten your day #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/t6viDCYrKO

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 20, 2019

Campbell was full of praise for Ward and the role he’s played since injuring his ACL.

“He’s been magnificent off the field for us since the moment he did his knee down in Geelong. His off-field spirit and being there on game day and there in leadership meetings and helping the young mids has been amazing, but to see him out there running was a great fillip for all.”

Ward is eyeing off a return to the AFL for round one of the 2020 season.