BLUES midfielder Dale Thomas will miss this weekend’s clash with Port Adelaide and the remainder of the season as he undergoes a shoulder reconstruction on Wednesday.

While it’s a stress reaction of his toe which has kept him sidelined in a moonboot for the past few weeks, it’s an ongoing shoulder injury which will see him go under the knife tomorrow.

Carlton head of football Andrew McKay said Thomas’ shoulder hadn’t healed properly since he injured it in Round 1.

“His shoulder hasn’t been right ever since that first tackle of the first game at the start of this season - in the last couple of games it’s actually slipped out,” McKay said.

“We’ve had some advice from the specialist yesterday and they’ve come to the conclusion that he needs a shoulder reconstruction.”

It’s a devastating blow for the star player who, only last week, was expecting to return to the field in Round 11. But the club feels it’s the best decision in the long-run.

“It’s really unfortunate for Dale and it’s really disappointing for us that he’ll be out for the rest of the season,” McKay said.

“But this way at least we’ll be able to get him fit and right before the start of preseason 2016 to give him the best opportunity to play some really good footy next year.”