THE SYDNEY Swans could be forced to put a line though the season of injury-plagued forward Sam Reid as early as next week.
Reid hasn't played a game at senior level since tearing his hamstring in last year's qualifying final loss to Fremantle in Perth, and has battled hamstring, calf and Achilles problems all season.
The 24-year-old was injured in the Swans' first intra-club game in February and despite making it back to play in the NEAFL on more than one occasion, his body has failed him each time.
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Coach John Longmire said that with just four regular season games to play before the finals and Reid still not in full training, the swingman was running out of time.
"It's obviously getting really tight," Longmire said.
"He's running but he needs to get into training pretty quickly and he understands that.
"We'll have to make a call on him in the next week to 10 days, as far as the likelihood of him getting back to play this year.
"We're still hopeful at this point, but obviously he needs to get back into training sooner rather than later."
Reid, along with ruckmen Kurt Tippett and Callum Sinclair, will all be missing when the Swans take on Port Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday.
The Power's makeshift ruckman Jackson Trengove looms as a major threat, with his work around stoppages a standout, especially in last week's win over the Brisbane Lions.
The 25-year-old has been outstanding in his new role despite giving away size and strength to his opponents, and starred in Port's win over the Brisbane Lions last week with 25 possessions (20 contested), 15 clearances and two goals.
Longmire said Trengove represented a massive challenge for his inexperienced big men Sam Naismith and Toby Nankervis, but was confident they had the athleticism to challenge the Power ruckman.
"We certainly hope so, but as a player that's played a lot of key defence he has some unique attributes," Longmire said of Trengove.
"He's used to getting after the ball at ground level, he's used to competing in the air, and all of that was on display last week.
"He's virtually another midfielder, his contested possessions were through the roof and his clearances were incredible for a ruckman.
"He's really hanged the rucking role, particularly for Port Adelaide, but across the competition in regards to what he's doing.
"He's such a combative beast in the ruck and he's fantastic at ground level so it's a big challenge for our boys."