GREATER Western Sydney star Josh Kelly has been withdrawn from the team to face the Brisbane Lions as he continues to struggle with a hip complaint.

Kelly suffered the injury in training last Saturday, and GWS confirmed he had been kept out of this week's match because of the complaint.

The in-demand midfielder was due to test his fitness on Friday morning ahead of the Lions' trip to the Gabba, with the Giants hopeful he would be cleared to play by medical staff.

Kelly has been replaced by forward Daniel Lloyd, with young defender Harry Perryman joining Jeremy Finlayson and Tim Mohr as the emergencies.

Coming out of contract at the end of this season, Kelly has played every game in 2017 and averaged 29.3 disposals.

Saturday's clash will be the first the durable onballer has missed since round 15, 2015.

"We know how important he is. He's had an outstanding year and he's in great form, but if he's not close to being right, then we're not going to risk him," coach Leon Cameron said earlier this week.

"We're pretty bullish about his chances, but we need another 48 hours to assess that, and he'll make a good assessment of his own body as well.

"Once we see him moving around we'll make that call."

A win over the last-placed Lions will push GWS four points clear of Adelaide, who crashed at home to Hawthorn on Thursday night.

That might seem like powerful motivation and a big carrot, but the wary Giants aren't nibbling too hard.

"We want to win the game, but it doesn't change our thinking, we can only worry about Brisbane," recalled GWS key defender Nick Haynes told AAP.

GWS are understandably cautious about Saturday's assignment and attaching any significance to ladder positions given they lost to Carlton in one of the season's biggest upsets before their bye week.

"We were first and Carlton were 17th and we lost and the same again last night, Adelaide were first and Hawthorn were 17th," Haynes said.

'It just shows you that if you're off your game a little bit any side can beat you, and Brisbane is no exception.

"Playing them up at the Gabba at their home ground, some youngsters are playing some really good footy and if we're not on our game we're going to get beaten."

Haynes is back to bolster the Giants' defence after missing their last six matches with a hamstring injury.