In-form Port midfielder Jack Trengove believes he deserves a Power call-up and will continue to push his case

He is yet to line up for the Power this year but midfielder Jack Trengove is refusing to give up on earning an AFL recall, believing he is more than capable of playing at the top level.

Port Adelaide’s Jack Trengove, in action in the SANFL, believes he is good enough for an AFL recall this year. Picture: Tom Huntley

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Jack Trengove believes he is still good enough to play at AFL level and says he is not content with running out with the Magpies in the SANFL.

Power selectors have overlooked Trengove this season despite the club’s at times lengthy injury list and his impressive form in the SANFL.

In eight games for the Magpies, Trengove is averaging a league-high 34.9 disposals, along with seven clearances, six tackles and five inside 50s.

Trengove said Power coach Ken Hinkley had conceded there was not much more the 26-year-old midfielder could do to push his case, aside from continuing to play well.

Jack Trengove in action for Port against Central District this season. Picture: Tom Huntley

The former Melbourne co-captain last featured for the Power on July 22 last year and was desperate to earn another call-up.

“I’m here to play AFL footy, I’m not here to just play SANFL footy and be content with that,” Trengove told The Advertiser.

“I feel like I am still more than capable of being able to go to the senior level and perform my role.

“I’m still trying to convince everybody that I can do that, so I certainly haven’t given up that hope.

“Kenny and I have had an open and honest dialogue all the way through and I’ve just got to keep biding my time for that opportunity.

“He (Hinkley) says I am sort of going over and above of what he expected this year from me and he couldn’t be happier with … what I’m bringing to the team.

Port’s Paddy Ryder, Steven Motlop and Jack Trengove sing the song after the Power beat Carlton at the MCG last year. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“In the meantime, all I can do and all I can control is try to be that real pain for him and keep putting myself forward and trying to force his hand.”

Trengove said he was set to be in the Power’s 26-man squad for the China game against St Kilda but sustained a right leg injury two days prior to flying in the Magpies’ loss to Glenelg on May 26.

The injury became infected, hospitalising him in Adelaide for six days.

“It was a bit of a freak accident,” Trengove said.

“I got clipped by a boot stud in a tackle and it just sliced me open above my knee.

“That night, I went to hospital, got it stitched up with the idea of potentially getting on the plane to go to China a few days later.

Jack Trengove tackles St Kilda’s Jack Steven during the clubs’ clash at Adelaide Oval last year. Picture: AAP/David Mariuz

“I was certainly around the mark (to play for the Power) and I had been hanging out for that opportunity.

“For it to potentially be there and get ripped away because of it (the injury) is frustrating but that’s footy sometimes.”

Port signed Trengove as a delisted free agent at the end of 2017 after 85 games in eight seasons with Melbourne, where he was troubled by a chronic foot injury.

He featured three times with the Power last season against Carlton, St Kilda and GWS.

Trengove said his right leg was “feeling good” and would return for the Magpies’ game against North Adelaide at Prospect next Saturday.

Trengove, who works one day a week as an analyst with equities investment manager Lanyon Asset Management, is out of contract at the end of this season.

He said discussions with Port about his future would happen at the “back end of the year”.