Spence sustained the injury in a sickening clash during the Magpies’ 10-point win over Port Fairy on Saturday.

He was then taken to Melbourne where he saw a specialist and underwent surgery on Sunday.

Coach Phil Carse said he felt for Spence, though made it clear it was simply an unfortunate incident.

“He got an innocuous knee to the face when he was running back with the flight,” Carse said.

“Was no malice in it at all, Cam was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

It’s not only a blow for Camperdown, which sits second on the Hampden league ladder, it is equally devastating for Spence, who has been in career-best form.

He represented Hampden in its victory over Bendigo in last month’s interleague clash.

Carse said it was unclear if the pacey midfielder would return this season.

“It’s too early to put a time frame on it at the moment,” Carse said.

“He’s just waiting to see how it heals over the next few weeks and then reassess once he sees the specialist again.

“Obviously we’re shattered for Cam because he’s had soft tissue injuries, but he was up and going and having a terrific season.

“It’s heartbreaking seeing any player go down with a serious injury.

“But at the moment we probably aren’t really worried about the football side of it, just want to see Cam recover.”