Port Adelaide will not rush forward Orazio Fantasia in his return from a quad strain

Orazio Fantasia was initially set to miss a month with a quad strain he suffered against the Crows. Find out how he is progressing and get the latest on the Power’s potential changes.

Port Adelaide assistant coach Josh Carr says the Power will have to be mindful of how they bring back Orazio Fantasia with a return to action likely to be weeks away.

The injury-prone small forward has been on the sidelines since the Round 3 Showdown, when he suffered a quad strain after coming on as the sub.

Following the Round 4 win over Sydney, Fantasia was listed as being out three to four weeks on Port’s injury report.

He has started running and was doing some kicking drills at Power training on Tuesday.

But Carr said the Power needed to be a little more cautious with Fantasia than they would with a normal quad injury recovery.

“A little bit, with those injuries there is the regular time you put on a quad but at the same time you have to assess the person,” he said.

“He has started running, we just have to be careful that we don’t overload him.”

Fantasia, 27, is out of contract at the end of the year and needs to string games together to earn a new deal to remain at Alberton.

Orazio Fantasia is still on the comeback trail from injury. Picture: Getty Images

He has played 19 of a ¬possible 51 games since Port traded its second and third-round ¬selections to -secure him from Essendon, along with pick 73, at the end of 2020.

Knee and quad issues restricted him to just one match last year as an unused substitute.

The Power are likely to make multiple changes from the side that knocked off St Kilda on Friday night for their Sunday clash against Essendon at Adelaide Oval.

Xavier Duursma is out for eight to 10 weeks after he suffered a PCL tear against the Saints.

Carr said Duursma’s replacement on the wing could come from inside the Power’s 22, rather than the SANFL side.

“As far as guys to replace him we feel that there is a number of guys playing well enough to come in and play that role within the team that was playing, with the mids we had we feel like they are flexible enough,” he said.

“It could come from the 22 or it could come from outside, there is definitely an option there to do it.”

Miles Bergman has played in defence in recent weeks but he could be moved to a wing, especially with captain Tom Jonas available from suspension.

Todd Marshall is also available after missing last week with a concussion, which could mean a change to the Power’s tall forward brigade of Charlie Dixon, Jeremy Finlayson and youngster Ollie Lord.

Xavier Duursma has been sidelined for the Power. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Lycett is set to continue his time in the SANFL, with Brynn Teakle to continue in the ruck.

Lycett suffered a knock to his back in the SANFL last week, but he should be available for selection this week.

“Scott he got a bit of a knock early on in the game,” Carr said.

“He just has to build his form and play some really good football at that level to knock the door down.

“He is not quite there yet but that doesn’t rule him out there this year.”