PORT Adelaide defender Jasper Pittard faces a delayed start to the season after scans confirmed he suffered a grade one hamstring strain in Sunday's pre-season loss to Richmond.
Pittard is likely to miss the Power's season opener against Sydney on March 25 and will need to go through a thorough rehabilitation process, given his history of hamstring problems.
"It's a grade one strain so I'd say he's unlikely to play in round one," head of high performance Darren Burgess told the club's website.
"Jasper has a history with hamstring problems from the early part of his career, so that's something we’ll be mindful of as we put him through rehab."
Pittard, who was selected in the All Australian squad of 40 last year, could be replaced in the Power line-up by Matthew Broadbent, who is poised to return from a hamstring injury ahead of round one.
Port also revealed forward Chad Wingard would be available for the club's final JLT Community Series match against Hawthorn on Sunday after recovering from a corked leg.
Angus Monfries and Matt White are also primed for selection after being cleared to return from shoulder and calf problems respectively.