A return date for injured Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon remains unclear, after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his ankle early last week.
The 28-year-old has had a horror run with injuries lately, breaking his leg against the Eagles in round 21 last year.
The leg injury which Dixon suffered in a marking contest has lead to these current ankle issues, and SEN South Australia radio host Michelangelo Russi believes they don't need to rush the big man back just yet.
"They've got options and the beauty for Ken Hinkley is when you've got kids who are holding their spots, you're going to get pressure to get back into the 22," Russi said on SEN radio.
Port Adelaide are progressing well, with newly-appointed captain Ollie Wines and veteran Hamish Hartlett soon to be added to a side which defeated Melbourne on their home deck. Power fans can expect to see these two back within the next couple weeks.
"I can't see them playing Ollie Wines against Carlton, so that gives him another week on the training track to get more competitive work into him," he said.
"Hamish Hartlett is the real interesting one. This one is a case of having to measure risk against timing, they will probably keep him out for another week as well.
"There's not a crystal ball in this world that can tell you when Charlie Dixon will next play AFL footy."
Dixon has managed to slot 105 goals from his three seasons with Port Adelaide after being traded from the Suns.
Port come up against Carlton this Saturday at Adelade Oval as they prepare to start the season with two wins and zero losses.
