With James Sicily set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a broken scaphoid, the Hawks are now preparing their run towards finals without a key member of their backline personnel.

Read: Sicily dealt injury blow

Hawthorn swingman Jack Gunston says while his teammate’s injury is "disappointing”, the Hawks take comfort in Alastair Clarkson’s long-standing motto; ‘Lose a soldier, replace him with another soldier’.

“He’s been a great player for us this year and really shored up our defence,” Gunston said during his press conference on Tuesday. 

“It’s disappointing to lose him, particularly at the pointy end of the year. 

“We’ll have to find someone to fill [his role] in the team, or bring someone else in.”

Sicily injured his wrist during Hawthorn’s loss to Brisbane on Saturday. He continued to play out the game, before scans revealed a broken scaphoid. 

Ahead of his surgery on Tuesday, Gunston says the 23-year-old defender was in good spirits. 

“I saw him this morning. He had a smile on his face which he always does, and he’s probably more disappointed that he can’t play a round of golf in between games.”