The injury comes as a major blow for Neagle who has been impressive in the VFL in recent weeks.
""I really feel for Jay because he has been in great shape in the VFL and we are building Jay Neagle and he is definitely a part of the future of the Essendon footy club,"" Essendon High performance coach John Quinn explained.
""It is a very strange injury in that we didn’t get any warning but our fans might remember that a year ago Jay Neagle had a stress fracture to his ankle and now it is the other ankle.
""Jay had no pain and went into the doctor this week and said he just felt a little strange on that same point but on the other ankle and as a precaution the doctor ordered a scan.
""Unfortunately the scans came back revealing he had a stress fracture in that area and for Jay Neagle that is going to mean eight weeks and I really feel for him.""
But despite Neagle’s bad news, Essendon are in pretty good shape injury wise.
After missing the last two weeks with groin soreness, Nathan Lovett-Murray is a chance to return for the clash with St Kilda.
""He is a chance. We are just being sensible and trying to be cautious with all of our players,"" Quinn said.
""Lovett-Murray is a good example of that because he pulled up sore from a groin but it is not torn or anything there is just some inflammation there.
""In regards to his fitness we felt that he shouldn’t be available for the game against Carlton but we will look at him again this week and make a decision on that.""
Jay Nash (foot) and Andrew Welsh (hamstring) are also recovering well and look set to play in around three weeks.
