Noah Balta leaves the field during the third quarter of Friday night's loss to St Kilda.

Richmond defender Noah Balta is yet to have scans after being subbed out of Friday night's loss to St Kilda.

It appears Balta's knee is better than first thought, but he has suffered a significant ankle syndesmosis injury which will require surgery.

He will have scans on both ankle and knee to confirm clinical findings.

The Club will provide a further update once those findings are confirmed.