A STRING of injuries, the fall-out from Dean Solomon's elbow into Cameron Ling's face and possible sanctions from the match review panel for several Geelong players have ensured an explosive aftermath to Saturday's spiteful clash between Geelong and Fremantle at Skilled Stadium.

Geelong midfielder Cameron Ling is likely to be sidelined for up to a month with a compressed fracture of his cheekbone and his All-Australian teammate Gary Ablett is also unlikely to play in this Saturday's top-of the-table clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The Cats will limp into the sold-out game against their number one rival for the flag with a compromised midfield, with ball carrier James Kelly also in doubt because of a calf strain, and injury doubts about several other players.

Ling underwent surgery yesterday after copping an elbow to the face from Docker Dean Solomon in Fremantle's physical encounter at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

He was in severe pain from the injury because of pressure from the fracture on nerves in his eyesocket.

Meanwhile, scans to the ankle of Ablett revealed he had not suffered any structural damage by rolling an ankle late in the second term against the Dockers, but had damaged some ligaments.

Geelong is likely to be without Ablett for at least a week because of soreness after leaving the field before half time and, like Ling, not being sighted for the remainder of the match.

Docker Paul Hasleby, who was sitting in Fremantle's coach's box when Ling went down, said senior coach Mark Thompson knew straight away that Solomon would be reported.

"His initial reaction was the he might be out for a few week's," Hasleby said on Channel Seven. "We don't encourage that sort of behaviour on the field."

Hasleby said Solomon asked for permission from the match committee before apologising to Ling on a television broadcast from the rooms on Saturday night, describing it as one of the lowest points of his career.

Hasleby said Solomon was visibly upset afterwards and remorseful.

"We have had a very poor record at the tribunal," he said. "I think this year it's been improved. No way am I condoning what happened but those who know Dean Solomon know it's not in his nature to do that kind of thing."

Meanwhile, Corey Enright (foot) and Max Rooke appeared hindered late in the Docker's game, although Cats coach Mark Thompson insisted they were only suffering cramps because of the extra workload with a two-man interchange in the second half.

It is believed defender Matthew Scarlett is also still suffering some soreness to his hamstring .