Carlton midfielder Cooper Lord is on the mend after spending four nights in hospital.
The 21-year-old missed Sunday’s clash against Melbourne with illness, which 7NEWS can reveal was a staph infection.
Lord received treatment and underwent surgery over the weekend.
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7NEWS understands Lord is feeling much better and will aim to be available for selection either this week or next, depending on how he progresses over the next few days.
A staph infection is a bacterial condition which usually lives on the skin without major harm, but can become severe if it enters the bloodstream, joints or organs.
Lord’s issue presented in his knee and spread to other parts of his body.
A staph infection is transmissible most commonly via contact with an infected person, or through the touch of contaminated towels, clothing or sporting equipment.
Youngster Harry Dean became the second Carlton player to be sent to hospital on Sunday after suffering a heavy fall during the Blues’ disastrous second-half capitulation against Melbourne.
Dean flew courageously for a mark late in the last quarter and landed on his side, for which he had scans in hospital.
The Blues are still awaiting the results of the scans.
Running defender Zac Williams also failed to finish the game after suffering a rib injury in a big hit with Demons superstar Kysaiah Pickett.
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