Port Adelaide’s ruck crisis ends with the return of All-Australian Patrick Ryder

PORT Adelaide is strengthened for the big challenge against West Coast - and its ruckman Nic Naitanui - with the return of Patrick Ryder.

Port Adelaide has regained All-Australian ruckman Patrick Ryder after a five-week absence with the left Achilles injury. He will work against West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui in Perth on Saturday. Picture: Sarah Reed

PORT Adelaide’s ruck crisis is over, at least by the return to All-Australian Patrick Ryder after a five-week absence.

The Power has Ryder to face West Coast superstar Nic Naitanui for the first time since May 10, 2015 - provided there is no setback to Ryder with his left Achilles when he trains in his home city of Perth today.

Ryder returns to the Power 22 that gains half-back Jasper Pittard for the first time this season. They replace forward-midfielder Chad Wingard (hamstring) and key defender Tom Clurey, who is dropped to leave the Power defence to be built around Dougal Howard, Tom Jonas and Jack Hombsch.

Second-placed West Coast (5-1) has called up defender Jackson Nelson and midfielder Mark Hutchings to refresh a line-up that is carrying the battering from the Western Derby and strains for working on the hard deck at the new Perth Stadium.

They replace speed machine Lewis Jetta (calf) and midfielder Dom Sheed (foot).

Port Adelaide will train at Leederville Oval - scene of this year’s pre-season clash with the Eagles - but not at the new Perth venue. The Power squad will be allowed to walk on the new stadium’s much-criticised surface but is not to take footballs onto the field today.

While Port Adelaide cannot have a pre-game training session today, there will be a curtain raiser before the AFL match that will mark the 15th Power-Eagles game in Perth where the SA-based club has an 8-6 win-loss count.

On list management, Port Adelaide vice-captain Ollie Wines on Wednesday reaffirmed to coach Ken Hinkley that he will seek a new deal at Alberton. But contrary to media reports this week, negotiations for a contract extension - most likely two years - have not begun.

Adelaide will regain goalsneak Eddie Betts to face his former club Carlton, but the Crows will for the first time have neither captain Taylor Walker nor vice-captain Rory Sloane in their line-up.

Betts, after missing two games with a hamstring strain, first-year forward Darcy Fogarty and defender Jake Kelly resume for the first Crows-Blues match at Adelaide Oval - and first in Adelaide since April 17, 2010. Since then, all seven matches between the clubs have been in Melbourne.

They replace Walker (hamstring), novice Myles Poholke and half-forward Riley Knight who is described as “sore”.

Winless Carlton appears more likely to fall to an unprecedented 0-6 count by the loss of forward Charlie Curnow and defender Caleb Marchbank both ruled out by ankle injuries.