Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder has had surgery to repair a depressed fracture of a cheekbone with his club hopeful he will play in their AFL premiership season opener against Melbourne on March 23.
Ryder's operation on Monday was a success and the 30-year-old is recovering well, the Power said in a statement.
Port medicos will further assess Ryder when all players return to training on Thursday following a four-day break.
Ryder's teammate Jarrod Lienert remains unlikely for the start of the premiership season after straining a medial ligament in a knee in Saturday's trial game win against North Melbourne.
And untried second-year draftee Jake Patmore had knee reconstruction surgery on Monday, ruling him out of the entire season.
