It was another tough round of footy on the injury front, but the Lions are set to welcome back a handful of players this weekend.

Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale heads the casualty list from Round 5 of the AFL season, having suffered a syndesmosis injury against Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Neale underwent surgery yesterday and Lions High Performance Manager Damien Austin said he expects him to miss six to eight weeks.

“He did very well to push through, he took one for the team there,’’ he said.

Veteran defender Darcy Gardiner was subbed out of the game in the first half after suffering a head knock and he will be forced to sit out the mandatory 12 days under AFL concussion protocols.

And first year ruckman Henry Smith will also miss at least a week after suffering a calf strain in the VFL.

Austin said Jarrod Berry, who missed the win over the Blues after being subbed-out of the Round 5 victory over Essendon with a groin issue, would be put through a fitness test later this week to determine his availability to return to take on Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night.

“We have managed him by backing him right off but hopefully we can get him running again and it will be based on how he feels after that,’’ he said.

Austin confirmed that ruckman Archie Smith, who sat out the VFL clash at the weekend with an ankle injury, would be available for selection if he trained fully on Thursday.

And Connor McFadyen is set to make his return after completing his rehabilitation following a knee reconstruction last year.

“This is the week, he’s got to get through training of course but he is very excited to be back out there after doing his ACL,’’ he said.

“He can’t wait.’’

For the full list of currently injured players click here.