NATHAN Jones will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after sustaining two fractured vertebrae and broken ribs.

Jones suffered the injury during Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne at the MCG.

He copped in a knee in the back from North Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards, during a contest.

The hard-at-it Demon was immediately taken from the ground, playing no further part in the match.

Jones spent two nights in hospital, before being released.

Although it was a nasty incident, the tenacious midfielder remains in good spirits.

The 22-year-old has played 92 matches, playing all 22 games in 2010.

He has missed just four matches in four seasons