JAMES Aish has added to the Brisbane Lions' injury woes, after it was confirmed he played out the second half of Sunday's loss against St Kilda with a broken jaw.
But in better news for the club, Pearce Hanley should make his return from hip surgery this weekend, although whether he plays in the AFL or NEAFL is still to be decided.
Aish's injury was confirmed on Monday, adding to those picked up by captain Tom Rockliff (ribs), Claye Beams (knee), Jed Adcock (calf) and Ryan Harwood (concussion) in the 22-point defeat.
The teenage South Australian was accidentally collected high by the hip of St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey in a second-quarter marking contest and was taken from the field.
He passed a concussion test before returning.
Lions general manager of football Dean Warren said scans revealed there was a fracture and there was no definite timeframe on Aish's return, although he would not require surgery.
"We're waiting for reports to come through, but it's not a major fracture," said Warren.
"We don't expect him to be out for a long time, but it needs to heal."
Hanley has not played a game this year following pre-season surgery, and his return cannot come quick enough for the injury-riddled Lions.
Warren said the Lions weren't sure whether Hanley should return in the seniors to play Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, or come back through the reserves.
"It's a dilemma for the coaching staff," he said.
"You always take the view of what's in the player's best interests long-term.
"He's been training at that (AFL) intensity. It's like his first game in the pre-season - he's fit and ready to go, but he just hasn't had that match fitness."
The Lions were the walking wounded against St Kilda, with Rockliff playing all-but 10 minutes with three broken ribs and Beams hobbling around in the second half with his injury.
"We were quite brave yesterday when you consider 'Aishy' played with that, Rocky played with broken ribs for three quarters and Claye went back on with a medial strain, and that was in his reconstructed knee," Warren said.
"Those boys showed some courage to continue."
