A neck injury is set to end the AFL career of Wayne Carey, arguably the game's greatest modern-day player.

There was strong speculation that Carey would call a media conference in Adelaide Thursday morning to announce he could not continue.

Crows officials were unable to confirm the announcement, but said Carey had met a neurosurgeon to discuss the injury.

"At this stage we know he's got a bulging disc and it is a problem," said Adelaide football manager John Reid.

"It doesn't look terrific, (but) we will meet tomorrow morning.

"It doesn't look good."

Carey has had the problem for the last few weeks and missed Sunday's win over the Western Bulldogs.

It was the first game he had missed this season.

Under coach Denis Pagan at the Kangaroos, Carey blossomed into greatness at centre half-forward through the 1990s.

Pagan said it was "a sad way" for the 33-year-old to end a brilliant career.

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