Port Adelaide assistant coach Nathan Bassett said returning defender Jack Watts is still getting used to running and training

Port Adelaide defender Jack Watts will have to wait for his return to AFL football, with assistant coach Nathan Bassett suggesting he’ll have to wait until rounds five or six before returning.

AFL Port Adelaide Player Jack Watts poses for a portrait at the Port Adelaide Football Club in Adelaide, Wednesday, February 26, 2020. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes) NO ARCHIVING

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Port Adelaide assistant coach Nathan Bassett has said former Demon Jack Watts will be “pushing for rounds five or six” as he aims to return from injury.

Watts played in the Power’s internal trial in February, but didn’t feature against Brisbane in the Marsh Series or in the club’s under 23 match against the Crows on Saturday.

Bassett said on SEN Breakfast on Friday morning Watts’ comeback will have to wait a bit into the season.

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“He’s still getting used to running and training, he had a setback with a little calf strain, but he’s travelling okay,” he said.

“He needs to play some footy and he’ll be pushing for rounds five or six I would’ve thought, we’ll see how he goes as he comes back.”

Another player who is in doubt for the Power’s start to the season against Gold Coast is veteran Brad Ebert.

“I think Brad he’s getting accustomed to playing good footy again, he’s missed a lot since round six last year,” he said.

Jack Watts’ return to AFL football may have to wait until round five or six. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes.

“Brad’s in that mix of guys who are potentially in for round one but who are potentially not in.”

Port Adelaide takes on the Western Bulldogs tomorrow in Whyalla, with Trent McKenzie starting at centre-half-back, and Bassett said it’s a credit to the former Sun.

“It’s nice for Trent, in the middle of last year it was almost the end of his footy career but he finished the season really well in the SANFL,” he said.

“He got into the team for the last game of the year, he’s had a good pre-season, he’s a good footballer and he’s set himself up well to play a few games this year.”

The Power will also go into the clash with just one ruckman, opposed to the Scott Lycett-Pete Ladhams tandem.

“We’re going with one this week and we’ll see what it looks like,” he said.

“We’re looking at (Justin) Westhoff, (Todd) Marshall and maybe a little bit of (Charlie) Dixon, but not too much at this stage.”

The Power’s clash against the Bulldogs gets underway at 3.40pm.

Originally published as Port Adelaide assistant coach Nathan Bassett said returning defender Jack Watts is still getting used to running and training