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Carlton great Mark Maclure insists there is no reason to rush Charlie Curnow.
The talented Blues youngster has struggled with multiple knee issues over the last couple of years and is currently dealing with a fractured right patella suffered when slipping on tiles in November.
Given the injury history of the 22-year-old in his short career to date, Maclure has implored the Blues to take a patient approach with a player whose trump card is his athleticism and running ability.
“He might miss the first three or four weeks,” the three-time Blues premiership player said on SEN Breakfast.
“But he’s got a long life to live and he’s got plenty of footy to play.
“It’s not about putting him in quick, it’s about getting him right.”
Curnow was unlucky with his knees away from footy in 2019, also injuring himself while playing a casual game of basketball in October.
He was restricted to just 11 games last year, suffering bone bruising which saw him in and out of the team early in the season, before succumbing to a medial ligament issue sustained in Round 15.
The 58-game forward will definitely miss the club’s Marsh Community series games against Fremantle (February 29) and Brisbane (March 8) and is also expected to miss the 2020 season opener against Richmond (March 19) plus perhaps one or two games on top of that.
Curnow said just last week that he and the club would be going down a more diligent path in 2020.
“I had a meeting with the surgeon and the knee is tracking along quite well,” Curnow told carltonfc.com.au.
“We’ve ruled out the start of the season, which is kind of nice to know. It means I don’t have to rush back.
“I can take my time to look after the knee and do all the right processes before I make my return to the field.”