Dyson Heppell has a broken bone in his hand and is expected to miss this weekend's game against Gold Coast.

Heppell injured the hand at training on Wednesday morning and underwent a small operation immediately. The Bombers were relieved that the injury was not worse given that the young superstar has been clearly their standout player in 2014.

The Bombers haven't completely ruled Heppell out of this Saturday's game against the Suns, though they expect him to miss the game, in which they can consolidate their position in the eight. The club is optimistic that he will return against Carlton the following Saturday in the final home-and-away round.

Heppell sustained the injury in a tackling drill. He was put in for surgery immediately, because the specialist, Greg Hoy, happened in to be operating at that time.