Talented, young Richmond midfielder Reece Conca is remaining upbeat despite suffering a foot injury that will sideline him for about a month.

Conca, who had been in fine early-season form with the Tigers, was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right foot early last week, following the Round 4 clash with Collingwood.

The news came as quite a shock for the 20-year-old, who has played 39 league games since being taken by Richmond with its first pick (No. 6 overall) in the 2010 AFL National Draft and debuting in 2011.

“It sort of came out of nowhere,” he said on this week’s “Musashi Medical Update”.

“I just went out to kick a set shot before training on Tuesday, didn’t really feel quite right, so came in, saw the medical staff, and got a precautionary scan.  It showed a bit of a hot spot in the fourth metatarsal.

“It’s a similar injury to what I had last year, but we’ve got it really early, which is great.

“Obviously, I was a little bit disappointed on hearing the news, but it’s relatively pain-free.”

A key component of Conca’s rehabilitation in the short term, is rest.

“It’s a matter of letting it settle down and see how it goes,” he said.

“There will be a lot of off-feet stuff for me to do . . . swimming, seated boxing, bike.  Making sure that the fitness is still there, but just resting as well . . .

“As long as there’s no moving, I’ll be sweet for a couple of weeks and I’ll be back.