Graham Johncock will play for the Port Adelaide Magpies this weekend

RETIRED Crow Graham Johncock will play for Port Adelaide it its SANFL clash with Sturt this Sunday, Magpies coach Ken McGregor has confirmed.

RETIRED Adelaide Crow Graham Johncock will play for Port Adelaide it its SANFL clash with Sturt this Sunday, Magpies coach Ken McGregor has confirmed.

Johncock, who retired from AFL football last week, immediately indicated a desire to play out the season with Port but was encouraged by McGregor to take a week to let the emotion around his departure from West Lakes sink in before making a decision on his SANFL future.

Speaking today, McGregor told The Advertiser Johncock had weighed up his immediate playing future and would train at Alberton tonight ahead of Sunday's home clash with the Double Blues.

Campbell walks out on Norwood

"He has indicated that he will play on Sunday," McGregor said. "It was a big week for him last week so we just wanted to give him a bit of time to make sure this is what he wanted to do.

"When he does comeback we obviously want him to be 100 per cent committed to the Port Adelaide Magpies and playing his best footy."

Johncock's return is a timely boost for sixth-placed Port Adelaide which needs to beat eighth-placed Sturt to stay in touch with the top five.

Port will also regain former Central District premiership defender Andrew Hayes through the reserves this week, while former Essendon player Henry Slattery will play his second match back in the reserves as he battles to regain match fitness from a long term upper leg injury.

Johncock - who played 227 games over more than 10 seasons with the Crows - has been in good form in front of goals for the Magpies this season, kicking 27 goals in eight matches.