GWS midfielder Ryan Griffen has been ruled out for three more months after suffering yet another ankle injury.

Griffen, 30, had surgery on Monday after going down in training on Saturday.

The damage is to the same ankle that he injured back in April and extends his bad luck since joining the Giants from Western Bulldogs at the end of 2014, having missed a chunk of last season due to back and hamstring issues.

David Joyce, the GWS head of athletic performance, said: “Ryan was progressing really well from his initial ankle injury and was a few weeks from returning to the field.

“Unfortunately during a drill at training, he’s re-injured the ligaments at the top of his ankle. It’s a more severe injury this time around and required surgery, which he underwent on Monday.

“While it’s no doubt frustrating for both Ryan and the club, we look forward to him continuing his rehab in the professional manner he has so far this season.”

Current leaders Giants travel to Melbourne to face next-to-bottom Carlton on Sunday and are hoping that forwards Steve Johnson (knee) and Rory Lobb (groin) will come through fitness tests after both missing the last two rounds.