Gold Coast's Charlie Ballard in action against Carlton at Metricon in round four, 2019. Picture: Getty Images

GOLD Coast has suffered a double injury blow with youngsters Charlie Ballard and Mitch Riordan set for extended stints on the sidelines.

Ballard, who played 21 games in a breakout 2019 season, underwent a right shoulder reconstruction last week that will put him out of action for about the next three months.

The 20-year-old finished ninth in the Suns' best and fairest in 2019 and was set to continue a key role in defence this year.

Teenage midfielder Wil Powell will also go under the knife, with a knee injury suffered towards the end of last season still giving him trouble.

The exciting midfielder injured his lateral meniscus in a tackle during a loss to Richmond in July after playing 13 games last year.

The Suns say Powell will miss the start of the season, but haven't pencilled in a return date.

There is also bad news for untried midfielder Mitch Riordan who ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) as he was preparing to take part in match simulation on Friday.

The 20-year-old was taken at pick No.2 in last year's NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft and was pushing for an AFL debut.

Mitch Riordan in action for the Dandenong Stingrays in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

Riordan's injury will open up another selection for the Suns in the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) to add to their monstrous list this year.

Former Port Adelaide and GWS defender Jack Hombsch fractured a rib at training last week and will be assessed in the coming days.

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The Suns begin their preparations for 2020 with a scratch match against Brisbane on February 15 before Marsh Community Series matches against Geelong (February 22) and Adelaide (March 6).