Young defender Tom Stewart will miss at least a month of football following surgery on a significant facial fracture.

The 24-year-old underwent surgery earlier this week after sustaining the injury against in the Cats’ round 15 win over Fremantle at Simonds Stadium and head physio Mark Young says the procedure was substantial.

“You’ll see from the vision, as [Stewart] is trying to spoil the ball, the back of the Fremantle player’s head makes contact above his eye socket. That’s caused fracture that needed repair,” Young told this week’s GMHBA Health Report.

“He had surgery two days ago. There were some screws put around there, it was significant surgery.” 

“Initially we think it will be four to six weeks before we see him again.”

Stewart has been impressive in his first campaign at AFL level, playing 12 games and averaging 13 disposals and three marks in defence.