Caldwell’s season could be over after fresh hamstring injury

Boom Essendon recruit Jye Caldwell’s season could be over, with the Bombers considering surgery for the midfielder after he suffered a relapse of a hamstring injury at training last week.

Caldwell, the former first-round draft pick who was traded from Greater Western Sydney at the end of last season, had already been sidelined by a hamstring injury that occurred in the round two loss to Port Adelaide.

Jye Caldwell has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.Credit:Getty Images

But the fresh setback is even more serious, with the Dons confirming on Monday that they would take a conservative approach to the youngster’s fitness.

The Dons gave up two second-round draft picks as part of the deal for Caldwell, 20, who joined Essendon on a four-year deal as part of their busy 2020 trade and free agency period.

Caldwell had an extensive soft-tissue injury history as a junior.

Essendon have meanwhile lost Jake Stringer to a separate hamstring injury suffered in the loss to Greater Western Sydney on the weekend.

Stringer is expected to miss around three to four matches, according to the club’s website.

“Jye was tracking well in his recovery and was looking to be available again for selection in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, at the end of a training session late last week, he suffered a high-grade hamstring strain,” Dons football chief Josh Mahoney said.

“Given the position of the strain in his hamstring and the previous injury he sustained earlier in the season, the club will take a conservative approach with his recovery, which may involve surgery, and as such we will delay putting a timeframe on his availability.

“It’s disappointing for Jye, who has settled in so well at the club since arriving last year, but he is an important and long-term player for Essendon, and we will fully support him in his recovery.

“Jake was subbed out of the game on Saturday against the Giants, and scans have since confirmed he suffered a hamstring strain.

“This is likely to be a standard recovery and we expect Jake back in approximately three to four weeks.”

With Caldwell and fellow onballer Dylan Shiel sidelined, Darcy Parish has relished greater opportunity in the midfield, starring in recent weeks including winning the Anzac Day Medal.

Meanwhile, Giants veteran Lachie Keeffe will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear in the dying moments of his side’s win over the Bombers.

“It’s obviously devastating news for Lachie and we’re throwing our arms around him,” GWS medical chief Cullan Ball said on the club’s website.

“He was injured very late in the game and assessed following the match.

“Further assessment on Sunday indicated there may be an issue with the ACL and subsequent scans revealed Lachie will require a knee reconstruction.

“He’ll head to Melbourne on Wednesday to see Dr Julian Feller and we expect him to undergo surgery later this week.”

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