The Brisbane Lions have been dealt an injury blow with news that Ryan Lester will miss Saturday’s clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
The 23-year-old, who has played every match this season, is expected to miss at least the next fortnight with a quad injury.
“Ryan sustained a small strain to his left quad that’s likely to keep him out for the next couple of weeks while that heals,” said Lions Head of Physiotherapy Shane Lemcke.
In better news, Lemcke confirmed Captain Tom Rockliff would return to the Lions’ side provided he gets through training this week.
The 26-year-old has not played since injuring his right hamstring during the second quarter against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 7.
Lions Health Centre: Injury List
Rohan Bewick is likely to miss another week with a groin injury and there is no time-frame set on when star midfielder Dayne Beams may return.
“Roh’s going OK. He’s been able to get a little bit of work done in training.
“We’re just cautious that groin problems can be really problematic and we want to make sure that we don’t turn it into a bigger problem so we’ll take as much time as we need to make sure he’s right.”
Dayne Beams had surgery last Thursday on his troublesome knee that kept him sidelined for the first six weeks of the year and restricted him to just seven quarters of football before succumbing again after Brisbane’s Round 8 loss to Collingwood.
The exact cause of the severe pain in Beams’ knee remained a mystery until exploratory surgery revealed the extent of the tendinitis issue.
“Dayne’s surgery went well. They went in and found probably some of the things that were causing him some pain in addition to the tendon we knew that he had. They’ve been cleaned up and we’re hopeful they’ll allow his tendon to improve.
“From a time frame point of view he probably won’t be able to run until the next six weeks at least so that puts him in the frame to maybe be available by the end of the season but we’ll decide closer to that time whether we’ll risk him at that point.”
Defenders Darcy Gardiner (finger) and Harris Andrews (foot) are expected to return in Round 12.
“Darcy dislocated his finger during training and actually put the bone through the skin – a significant injury.
“He had surgery on that and was very happy with the repair. We’re hopeful he may be available in Round 12.”
“Harris is tracking well. Again, Round 12 is probably when we’ll see him back. He’ll feed back into training this week and then train normally next week.”
The Lions will also regain Michael Close (foot and wrist), Hugh Beasley (knee) and Sam Skinner (ACL) who is likely to play for the Lions’ Reserves this weekend.
“We’ve got a few guys who are in the frame to return. Sam Skinner who we drafted at the end of last year with an ACL issue, it looks like it will be his first game back which is exciting for the club to see him play,” said Lemcke.
“Michael Close should be available from his foot and wrist injury and Hugh Beasley should be available back from his knee injury.”
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