CARLTON'S star midfielder Nick Stevens is likely to announce today that neck surgery will prevent him playing again this season.

Stevens has seen four specialists in a bid to determine whether he needs surgery to correct a neck problem, which, if it does not mend, would pose the risk of a more serious injury.

Stevens travelled to Sydney yesterday to get a fourth opinion, with the three previous specialists having offered somewhat different advice, but the bottom line being that he would probably need an operation to correct the disc-related problem in his neck.

Stevens is expected to make a full recovery from the surgery, enabling him to resume playing in 2008. It is understood that while the second specialist recommended surgery, the third said Stevens could rest for 10 weeks and hope that the injury would mend, but that he might still require surgery at that point.

Carlton was seeking a fourth opinion simply to ensure that it had exhausted all possibilities before making what is a major decision for both player and club.

Stevens has played and trained with the injury, but he has felt significant pain, which flared after Carlton's win over Essendon last Saturday. It is believed the disc presses against the spinal cord.

In the likely event that he has the operation, the key midfielder, who is 27, would resume running in six or seven weeks, but the club would not risk him on the field in 2007.

Stevens' neck injury is less serious than the one that forced rugby league champion Andrew Johns to retire, or that which prompted Collingwood's Blake Caracella to stop playing last year. It is the third neck injury of note to have occurred in the AFL recently, with Magpie youngster John Anthony out for 2007 with a neck problem.

Carlton last night issued a statement confirming only that Stevens would miss Sunday's game against West Coast, and that his situation would be clarified at a press conference today, in the wake of the visit to the Sydney specialist.

"As a result of these consultations it has been decided that he will not play on Sunday," the statement said. The club would make no further comment.

Earlier yesterday, coach Denis Pagan said it was important the club exhausted all avenues for Stevens.

"He is having more tests, where exactly he is at is an issue we would like to be put to bed. It's really important for Nick that we find out every possible scenario for him," Pagan said. "We are getting all the results of all the scans and all the information before we make a decision. He has not missed a session. We are not going to let him train this morning.

"Anything with the neck is sensitive. We want to make sure we get the right information.

"The slightest bit of risk (and he will be rested). It is of paramount importance that Nick's wellbeing is right."

Pagan doubted the events of the week involving Adam Selwood would distract the Eagles, and said he would not advise his side on what was fertile ground for sledging and what was inappropriate.

"The best rule we should be using is the commonsense rule, we should apply that to everything we do," Pagan said. "I can coach my own team, I am not coaching anyone else's. I think the AFL have got enough programs in place."

Pagan said the Blues had a renewed spirit and confidence from the incredible come-from-behind victory over Essendon, and Richmond before that, but his side's next challenge was not to start behind.

"The whole group is starting to grow, the belief is there, it happened a couple of times in the pre-season cup — and I don't want to go down that road — and it did against the Tigers. We don't want it to be like that, we would rather us be in front."