Port Adelaide are yet to make a call on the extent of star AFL ruckman Patrick Ryder's re-introduction to competition after his year-long doping ban.
Ryder will play his first match since September 2015 on Thursday having been picked in the Power's first pre-season game against St Kilda on Thursday.
The 28-year-old is one of a number of players back in action at Etihad Stadium, with teammates Charlie Dixon and Jared Polec overcoming pre-season injuries to also gain selection.
Their returns would be time-managed, Port Adelaide assistant coach Michael Voss said, but getting game time under Ryder's belt was important as he works to regain match fitness.
Voss said the club was undecided if it would thrust Ryder into a full match or limit him to a portion.
"We'll be managing their minutes, really," Voss said.
"Same in Paddy's situation, being 12 months out of the game, sometimes continuity's actually a good thing too.
"Some of them might argue that some of the training sessions they do - as opposed to playing - are a little bit harder. They get pushed pretty hard.
"We'll just manage their minutes. We feel like the connection amongst the group's important for us and that they understand what we're trying to get in place."
Ryder was among former and current Essendon players suspended for the 2016 season over the Bombers' 2012 supplements scandal.
Voss said Ryder's return would be a boost to Port's midfield, but not the silver bullet to take the club into the top eight after two years without finals.
"If we're able to get some ruck advantage, that should be seen as a bonus, but not a given," he said.
Voss said star midfielder Robbie Gray would miss the pre-season clash with the Saints due to soreness but was likely to be available for their next outing.
Share
