TOWERING Gold Coast forward Peter Wright has boarded the plane to China and could play his first match of the season against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

Wright tore his calf on the eve of the JLT Community Series and sat on the sidelines for the next eight weeks.

He has played two games in the NEAFL since returning, including a full match against Brisbane on Saturday.

Although he has had little impact at the lower level, the Suns have almost been backed into a corner.

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With co-captain Tom Lynch (knee) out for a month and fellow tall forward Sam Day suspended for an incident against Melbourne at the weekend, Gold Coast have very few options.

Suns coach Stuart Dew was initially reluctant to select Wright after two matches, saying he'd need another week after Saturday's loss to the Demons.

That was before he knew Day's fate, though.

Gold Coast left Brisbane on Tuesday morning bound for China, taking 25 players with them.