Wellignton, March 15 NZPA - The Blues will be without Luke McAlister for at least another week of Super 14 rugby after the All Blacks midfielder suffered a suspected broken nose at training today.

McAlister, who came through 40 minutes of club rugby on the weekend, was a near certainty to have been named on the Blues' bench for Friday's home match against the Brumbies after missing four matches with a calf strain.

But a head clash at training today left him with a bloodied nose.

Blues coach Pat Lam ruled McAlister out of Friday's game immediately.

"Unfortunately he took a knock and that's just the way it is," Lam told OneNews.

The Blues are coming off a bye weekend and are 10th in the standings with two wins and two losses from four matches.