Oscar McInerney is in a race against time to prove his fitness after suffering an ankle injury in the one-point loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
The ruckman was subbed out of the game and did not take part in Monday’s light training session at Port Melbourne.
High-Performance Manager Damien Austin said it was too early in the week to make a call on McInerney’s availability.
“We’ll give him every chance, we’ll see how he progresses today and what he can manage at training tomorrow before making a call,’’ he said.
Midfielder Jarrod Berry, who was a late withdrawal from the round two clash with hamstring soreness, also faces a fitness test at training in Melbourne on Tuesday.
The Lions flew in four reinforcements to the squad on Monday.
Veteran defender Darcy Gardiner will push for a recall to the senior side having been cleared to play while Connor Ballenden, Rhys Mathieson and Marcus Adams have also joined the squad.
Gardiner has not played since he was a last-minute withdrawal from the Lions’ side that played Geelong in the 2020 preliminary final at the Gabba.
Experienced ruckman Archie Smith is unable to be considered for selection due to Achilles and shoulder injuries.
Smith has been completing his rehabilitation training away from the club having been granted leave for family reasons.
Injury List
Oscar McInerney – ankle - test
Archie Smith – Achilles/shoulder – TBC
Jarrod Berry – hamstring – test
Nakia Cockatoo – hamstring – test
Connor McFadyen – knee – 7-8 weeks
Dan McStay – knee – 3-4 weeks
Cameron Rayner – knee - season
