It means the Lions will welcome back key duo Gardiner and Lachie Neale for Saturday night’s clash with Collingwood at the Gabba.

Neale missed last Sunday’s 64-point win over his former club Fremantle due to gastro.

He trained strongly this week and will resume his place in the Lions’ midfield with Rhys Mathieson dropping out of the twenty-two.

Mitch Robinson, who was subbed out against the Dockers with a tight calf, will also miss.

Gardiner has not played since undergoing surgery to repair a shoulder injury suffered in the 73-point QClash demolition of the Suns in round nine.

However, Senior Coach Chris Fagan has backed-in his proven ability to return directly to senior action without lead-up games at the lower level.

Gardiner was a late scratching from last year's preliminary final loss to Geelong with a knee injury that hindered him right through pre-season.

He played his first game in round four against the Western Bulldogs with no match play under his belt, six months after last lining up in a qualifying final against Richmond.

Defensive general Harris Andrews said Gardiner’s ability to slot straight back in was because his game was based on effort.

“He’s a bit of a mongrel Dizz and that’s what we love about him, he’s just such a competitor,’’ he said.

“So you know that when he comes in after missing football that you are still going to get a desperate contest out of him.’’