Brisbane defender Darcy Gardiner won’t play in the AFL club’s last two games of the season due to a shoulder injury.

Gardiner dislocated his shoulder early in the Lions’ defeat to Collingwood at the weekend and will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old key-position player has been one of Brisbane’s best but will be sidelined as the Lions take on local rivals Gold Coast on Saturday and then West Coast at the Gabba in the final round.

He is expected to be fully recovered in around five months.

“Darcy’s had a wonderfully consistent year for us and has formed an integral part in the growth of our backline,” Lions general manager of football David Noble said.

“We look forward to his return in the 2019 pre-season.”