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CAM O'Shea has been dealt a harsh blow, with stress fractures in his foot set to rule him out for up to two months.
O'Shea impressed for South Adelaide in their win over the Eagles on Saturday, drifting forward to kick two goals.
But the 20-year-old pulled up sore following the match, experiencing pain in his foot.
He had an x-ray on Sunday and a follow-up scan yesterday which revealed the stress fracture. He underwent surgery on Monday night.
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Meanwhile, the club is confident skipper Dom Cassisi will return from a hip injury against the Bombers on Saturday afternoon.
Senior coach Matt Primus said in his post-match press conference he expected Cassisi to return, along with Matt Thomas, who has served his two-match suspension.
Brent Renouf (knee) and David Rodan (hamstring) will face fitness tests later this week after missing the Showdown on Saturday night.
Jackson Trengove said at yesterday's press conference that John Butcher has been playing with some pain in his hips and groins. The club's medical staff will continue to work with Butcher to keep him out on the park.
Locally, the Magpies could be boosted by the return of Steven Salopek and Mitch Banner. The pair face fitness tests to prove they've recovered from knee injuries but are likely to take their place for the Magpies as they face North Adelaide at Prospect on Sunday.
Full Injury List - as at Monday July 9
Mitch Banner, knee - test
Dom Cassisi, hip - test
Robbie Gray, knee - season
Hamish Hartlett, hamstring - 2 weeks
Cam Hitchcock, hamstring - 1-2 weeks
Cam O’Shea, foot stress fracture - 6-8 weeks
Brent Renouf, knee - test
David Rodan, hamstring - test
Steven Salopek, knee - test
Jay Schulz, abdomen - 6 weeks
