Despite being determined to line up in the Brisbane Lions first ever Indigenous-style guernsey this Saturday night against Carlton, veteran swingman Ash McGrath will be forced to watch from the sidelines for at least another week.

McGrath has battled a calf complaint for the past four months, and is yet to play a senior match in 2014.

But Strength and Conditioning Coach Matt Hass, of the Bupa Recovery Team, says the 31-year-old’s on-field return is imminent.

“Ash is back training with the squad, and doing some extra top-up conditioning outside the training sessions,” Hass told LIONS TV as part of the Bupa Recovery Report.

“He’s probably in line for the week after next, likely in the twos, when we play the Bulldogs.”

The Lions will, however, benefit from the inclusions of  Tom Rockliff, Joel Patfull, and Sam Mayes for their match against the Blues.

Rockliff and Patfull were late withdrawals from the team’s Round 9 side due to illness, while Mayes has overcome a minor concussion.

In other injury-related news, Brent Staker’s status has finally changed from ‘indefinite’, with the utility making some good progress with a persistent calf injury.

All going well, Staker is expected to be ready to play again in 6-7 weeks – at the same time as fellow rehab members Matthew Leuenberger (knee) and Patrick Wearden (ankle).

Daniel Rich and Luke McGuane have both been ruled out for the rest of the season with their respective knee injuries.

Meanwhile, star Carlton midfielder Chris Judd isn’t expected to make the trip up north after he was listed as still being one week away with a hamstring strain.

Judd’s likely absence should be welcome news in Brisbane, particularly considering the two-time Brownlow Medallist has polled a total of nine Brownlow votes from four of his past five matches against the Lions.