Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper has had another operation, with the latest procedure aiming to alleviate discomfort in the 28-year-old's knee.
Powell-Pepper ruptured his ACL in Round 17 against Brisbane last year, and the scar tissue from the immediate surgery on the ligament has been identified as "the likely predominant cause of the issue", the Power stated on Friday.
It's a setback for the 2016 draft first-round selection, with the irritation arising during an increase in intensity in Pepper's end-stage rehab, though the club is adamant Powell-Pepper's timeline to return "is not expected to be greatly impacted."
Port Adelaide stated that it was decided a clean out of scar tissue was necessary to resolve the discomfort. Powell-Pepper will now push towards the end stage of recovery and return to training in this phase of rehab.
Until the devastating injury last year, Powell-Pepper had returned to near his 2021 season ceiling as a pivotal goal-per-game forward in the front half for the Power.
Port Adelaide begin their 2026 pre-season schedule with a match simulation hit out against cross-town rivals Adelaide on Friday, February 20 at Alberton Oval.
