THE OUT-OF-FORM Suns will almost certainly be without their superstar captain Gary Ablett for Saturday's home clash with Adelaide.
The dual Brownlow medallist suffered a concussion during the Suns' heavy defeat to Greater Western Sydney last weekend.
Suns' football manager Marcus Ashcroft says while the 32-year-old has a further concussion test to undergo on Thursday, he'd be surprised if Ablett is fit to play the Crows.
"Highly unlikely," Ashcroft told Melbourne radio station RSN927.
"He has another concussion test tomorrow but the way he presented yesterday, we don't think he'll be available this weekend."
Ablett's absence is the last thing coach Rodney Eade needs as he tries to arrest a terrible run of losses.
Eade's men have lost five straight, including hidings by Geelong, Melbourne and GWS in the past three weeks.
The club's form has also raised questions about the future of young stars such as Jaeger O'Meara and Dion Prestia, who are both off-contract and attracting interest from other clubs.
Ashcroft says both players have made it clear they're concentrating on coming back from serious knee injuries before finalising their futures, a situation the club is comfortable with.
He says O'Meara, who hasn't played since the final round of 2014, is tracking well in his path back to fitness.
"Without putting a definitive timeline on it, we're hopeful he'll play in the next four to six weeks," Ashcroft said.
"He's on track and hopefully he'll be integrated back into full training in the next couple of weeks."
Ablett struggling, likely to miss clash with Crows
Gold Coast superstar skipper still struggling to overcome concussion