Izak Rankine will take longer than expected to recover from his latest hamstring setback

The Suns believe limited access to medical staff throughout the league shutdown period could prolong Izak Rankine’s rehabilitation from his latest hamstring injury.

THE Suns believe limited access to medical staff throughout the league shutdown period could prolong Izak Rankine’s rehabilitation from his latest hamstring injury.

Rankine was sent for scans on the eve of Round 1 following an incident at training with scans confirming a low-grade hamstring strain.

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The untimely injury prevented the third pick of the 2018 national draft from making his long-awaited debut against Port Adelaide in Round 1.

Izak Rankine in action during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Metricon Stadium on December 09, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Despite the latest setback, Suns vice-captain Touk Miller said the highly-rated youngster would be recovered and ready to play when the AFL season does eventually recommence.

“He’s doing fine,” Miller said.

“The injury is a funny one because it’s not like you have the facilities that you do at the club and the medical treatment that you can receive on a daily basis.

“I know that his process will probably be a bit longer than it would be if it was fulltime at the club but, from all reports and from what I’ve heard from him, he’s tracking really well.

“He’d be back running.

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“In those first few weeks you’re normally back running anyway with a hamstring but he’s up and moving for sure.”

Suns vice-captain Touk Miller. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Rankine could be joined by a cavalry of other injured Suns set to benefit from the league shutdown.

Pearce Hanley, Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Hombsch, Anthony Miles, Will Powell, Charlie Ballard, Alex Sexton and Rory Thompson all missed Round 1 through injury but could all be ready to play in Round 2 thanks to a prolonged break.

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“If you want to take any positive out of it, anyone who was injured and was looking at a halfway return is going to be able to play and not miss much football,” Miller said.