Fresh injury blow leaves Brisbane defender Jack Payne facing lengthy period on sidelines

Brisbane defender Jack Payne is set to miss close to six weeks due to bone stress in his foot.The club revealed the setback to the key defender on Thursday evening, with the Lions holding hope Payne will play again before a likely finals series.Payne missed one match prior to last Sunday's clash with Adelaide due to foot soreness, with the tall Lion experiencing further soreness in the aftermath of Round 17.The Brisbane Lions confirm defender Jack Payne is expected to miss up to six weeks due to bone stress of his right foot," a club statement read."Payne, who missed the Lions Round 16 win over Melbourne with foot soreness, returned to face Adelaide but experienced foot soreness in the days after the match.
"The club investigated Payne's foot soreness and sent the 24-year-old for scans which confirmed the bone stress.The club is hopeful Payne will be available for selection before the end of the home and away season."The injury is another untimely setback for the Brisbane defender, who was left out of last year's grand final against Collingwood due to an ankle injury sustained three weeks prior.Despite being fit for the season decider, the Lions opted against naming Payne to return for the eventual four-point defeat.Payne came into Chris Fagan's Round 17 side in place of Irishman Darragh Joyce, who looms as a suitable replacement for this week's match against West Coast at Optus Stadium.