HAWTHORN utility Brendan Whitecross has been placed on the long-term injury list.

While no replacement for the injured forward has been named yet, General Manager – Football Operations, Chris Fagan says the Club is keeping its options open.

He says a number of rookie-listed players will come under consideration, having impressed over the summer and during the NAB Challenge.

“If Brendan does play this year it won’t be until the end of the season so there’s plenty of time before then,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“We’ve got a number of rookies performing well during the NAB Challenge series, so we thought we’d open a spot in case we want to bring somebody up to play senior footy at some stage this year.”

Whitecross is recovering from a second knee reconstruction in as many years, after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the dying stage of the Preliminary Final victory over Geelong last year.

Fagan says his recovery is on track.

“It’s a big challenge for him, two years in a row having to recover from knee surgery,” he said. “He’s progressing to plan – he’s back running, which is good.”

The 24 year old missed his team’s premiership victory but has been a constant source of positivity around the Club since suffering the latest injury.

He has now too, taken on a mentoring role with his younger teammates.

“One of the other great things about ‘Whitey’ is that he’s been helping out with our development coaches with our younger players so he can improve his coaching while he’s having time out of the game,” Fagan said.

“That’s a great attitude to have and it’ll benefit him as a play when he returns.”