Brisbane Lions midfielder Will Ashcroft is closer to a return, with the Club expecting the number two draft pick to be available for selection next week.

Ashcroft, who ruptured his ACL in July last year, has been in full training for the past month and looks set to put his hand up to play in Round 16 against Melbourne.

Teammate Keidean Coleman has also shown exciting progress with the defender running for the first time last week after also rupturing his ACL in Opening Round.

There is also positive news for fellow defender Carter Michael who is likely to only be sidelined for one more week.

Michael has experienced a tough run of injuries over the past two seasons, suffering minor setbacks each time he was closer to playing.

The 22-year initially strained his quad, followed by bone bruising of his knee before straining his quad again.

Following further assessment and consultation with the Club’s medical team, the decision was made to rest Michael for another week with the aim to play next week.

The Lions will however be without defender Noah Answerth who will be sidelined for a period of four to six weeks with an acute shoulder dislocation.

Answerth injured his shoulder in Saturday’s VFL win against Sandringham, the day after playing a quarter at AFL level as the Lions sub in Friday night’s win over St Kilda.

The defender was running laps at training on Tuesday.

Injury List