CARLTON ruckman Andrew Phillips faces a major interruption to his pre-season after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot.

Phillips will not have surgery but his time on the sidelines will be determined after he consults with a specialist.

"While it's disappointing Andrew has sustained this injury, he'll be determined to get back out on the park as soon as possible," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay told carltonfc.com.au.

"He is extremely professional in his approach to football, and we know he will work as hard as he can to recover in readiness for the 2017 season." 

Phillips, 25, played 14 games over four seasons for Greater Western Sydney before being traded to the Blues at the end of 2015.

He played 16 matches in his first season at Carlton. A hamstring strain suffered in May interrupted his campaign but he returned to play the last 10 games of 2016.