Carle has been playing through the pain for his club but the Sky Blues are anxious to avoid making the damage any worse.

The former Crystal Palace midfielder hasn't made the trip across the Tasman for this weekend's clash with Wellington Phoenix.

"He'll be off the foot for the next week, then rehab, recovery and plenty of swimming," a club spokesman told AAP.

"We're hoping to have him back for the Gold Coast game (in late September) and we have a week off with the bye after Phoenix so that's a bit of a blessing in disguise."