Melbourne are in shock with star AFL midfielder Clayton Oliver’s bid to play Collingwood in the King’s Birthday blockbuster suffering a surprise setback.
7NEWS football reporter Mitch Cleary has exclusively revealed that the Brownlow Medal fancy has been admitted to hospital.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Clayton Oliver in hospital with nasty infection.
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Oliver was returning from a hamstring setback which saw him sit out the club’s past two games.
Now, Cleary says the gun midfielder is in hospital care, on an IV drip and a course of antibiotics.
Oliver is dealing with the nasty infected blister that has worsened in the last 24 hours.
“The Demons had locked Oliver in for a return (game against Collingwood) from a hamstring injury,” Cleary said.
“But he was absent from the club yesterday and missed a golf day with teammates (on Wednesday).”
Oliver is now in a race against time to prove his fitness for the massive Monday clash.
It is a crucial battle that will have a finals like atmosphere, with the Demons sitting third on the ladder and the red-hot Collinqwood on top.
Oliver has been in blistering form this season.
He is one of the leading Brownlow Medal contenders after finishing equal fourth last year and third the year before.
In his absence, his midfielder partner Christian Petracca has stepped up to the plate.
Petracca was best on ground last week and is now second favourite with bookmakers.
In other news, Essendon forward Peter wright is in line for a recall to face Carlton on Sunday night with Wright just needing to tick off main training on Thursday.
Cleary has also revealed forgotten Bombers tall Nik Cox will also to be strongly considered for that game.