PORT Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett will be recalled for Sunday's potentially crucial encounter with Fremantle at Adelaide Oval.

However, the Power will be without key defender Tom Clurey with a foot injury, opening the door for former Gold Coast superboot Trent McKenzie to play his first game of the season, while young winger Xavier Duursma is likely to return from heel soreness after training fully on Thursday.

Emerging ruckman Peter Ladhams is set to be dropped to allow for Lycett's return to the side.

Peter Ladhams in action against Todd Goldstein last week. Picture: AFL Photos

Lycett – signed on a five-year deal from West Coast at the end of last season – has been overlooked for the past three games, with Ladhams and veteran Paddy Ryder given the nod.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said Lycett's form in the SANFL warranted his selection to take on the Dockers.

"It'd be reasonable to think he (Lycett) will come back in and play," Hinkley told reporters.

"He's played really well and we've been selecting on merit all year and we'll continue to do that."

Asked who would miss out of Ladhams and Ryder, Hinkley said: "Probably the younger (of the two), Pete.

"He's had some great experience, so looking forward to seeing what he can do as he develops as a player."

Ladhams, 21, has played five games this season and earlier this month, signed a three-year contract extension until the end of 2022.

Clurey is unlikely to play after not training on Thursday.

"Tom's probably going to miss, he's got a sore foot and probably won't play this week," Hinkley said.

"We've got to go through that and get all the medical information from a selection point of view, but I'd doubt Tom would be out there, which gives McKenzie a chance." - Ken Hinkley

Hinkley said he was "pretty comfortable" Duursma would be OK, but still needed to get the all clear from the medical staff.

Midfielder Willem Drew will also be named in an extended 26-man squad, with the Power set to make at least three changes to the side belted by 86 points against North Melbourne last week.

The Power will know if their finals dream is still alive by the time they run out to face the Dockers.

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They're in the strange position of supporting crosstown rivals Adelaide, who must beat the Western Bulldogs in the early Sunday game at Ballarat for the Power to be a chance.

"I'd imagine it'd be splattered around everywhere, it won't take much to keep an eye on it," Hinkley said.

"It'll be hard to ignore when the time comes, but the reality for us is whichever way that is, there's an obligation for us to play a proper game of football and give ourselves a chance to either continue on, or finish on a strong note."