CARLTON’S mercurial goal-kicker Jeff Garlett was left in hospital after a brawl in the CBD on Sunday.

The out-of-form forward was injured in the affray, which involved at least five men outside a bar in Lonsdale St shortly after 5am.

Garlett, from Pascoe Vale, suffered lacerations to his head and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment.

The Herald Sun understands Garlett had been outside the bar with a friend when the altercation occurred.

Police arrested four men at the scene who were charged with affray, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and other assault offences.

A 26-year-old Hampton East man, a 24-year-old Endeavour Hills man, a 22-year-old Oakleigh man and a 26-year-Springvale man were charged and bailed. They will appear before a magistrate on October 28.

Carlton’s general manager of football operations said Garlett had the club’s support.

“Jeff kept the club well informed of his movements over the weekend,’’ he said.

“He did attend club recovery on Sunday morning for his VFL committments and has trained without interruption this week. In this particular case Jeff’s welfare is paramount and he has the club’s full support.’’

Garlett, who has played 107 games for the Blues since being drafted as a rookie in 2009, was dropped from the senior side in round 12 after a loss to Geelong.

He had played for Carlton’s VFL side Northern Blues against the Casey Scorpions on Saturday before heading out on the town.

It is believed Garlett went straight to the Blues’ recovery session at Visy Park after being discharged from hospital.

Garlett was Carlton’s leading goal-kicker in 2013, booting 43 for the season.