PORT ADELAIDE defender Jake Pasini will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Pasini suffered the injury when landing awkwardly in a marking contest at training on Tuesday morning.

The 21-year-old is expected to undergo reconstructive surgery later this week and spend several months rehabilitating.

“It is really unfortunate for Jake given his recent form and the consistency he has been developing in his game,” said Head of Medical Services, Tim O’Leary.

“He has had some challenges as a young player already, but we saw how hard he worked coming back from a shoulder reconstruction early last year and I have no doubt he will attack his rehabilitation with the same positivity and application.”

Pasini arrived at Alberton with the eighth pick in the 2019 rookie draft from Swan Districts in Western Australia.

He was unable to play a game in his first season after the club was forced to sit out the SANFL competition due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and managed eight SANFL games in 2021 after recovering from shoulder surgery.

In six SANFL games this season, the 193cm backman has performed strongly, averaging 17 disposals and five marks per game.

His form was rewarded when named as an AFL emergency for the first time for the Round 7 win over St Kilda in Cairns.