Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder will have to nurse an achilles injury through the AFL season.
Ryder, who has missed five games already but returned for the past three, says his injury won't properly mend until post-season.
"I probably need a decent break for it to be able to come good, but obviously not going to be able to get that," he told reporters on Monday.
"Surgery isn't necessary for it. I think it just needs a bit of TLC."
The All Australian ruckman will be on a modified training program - one session a week - until season's end.
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"We have been through a little bit of trial and error," Ryder said.
"And I think we, along with the physios and doc's, have got it down-pat now.
"The tendon tends to react well to a bit of loading every day,.
"I find that if I have too many days off, it sort of doesn't get anywhere with it."
Ryder has also suffered a right achilles injury in the past but was adamant his latest problem wasn't career-threatening.
"I hope not," he said.
"I had the right achilles tendon (injured) a couple of years back and that is fine now.
"So this one is just for this season hopefully and I will be able to get through that.
"I can still definitely play at my best ... I can still play a big part in what our team does."
Port enjoyed a bye last weekend after their fixture in China and will resume against Hawthorn in Tasmania on Saturday well-placed with six wins and three losses.
