GOLD Coast skipper Gary Ablett is carrying a couple of niggles but his body is structurally sound, coach Rodney Eade says.
Ablett is averaging more than 27 disposals per game this season but is yet to reach the heights that saw him widely considered the best player in the competition.
"He's not (injured). Last week he had a bit of a corked calf and he had a little knock on his chest at some stage," Eade told SEN on Monday morning.
"His shoulder was a little bit sore earlier in the year but he's taking the strapping off his shoulder, so that's all OK.
"It's just a couple of little niggles here and there, but nothing that's obviously stopped him from playing."
The dual Brownlow medallist turns 32 later this week. He played a combined 21 games in 2014 and 2015 after suffering shoulder and knee injuries.
Eade pointed to the captain's lack of game time last year as a possible reason for his slow start relative to the high standard Ablett had set for himself.
"Whether it's confidence in his body, and as he's said, he's sort of changed his style a bit," Eade said.
"His one-wood has been his contested footy. He probably hasn't got that to the level he has in the past.
"He mentioned last week he's probably trying to protect himself at certain stages.
"Whether it's being an older type player, I don't know. I've got confidence he'll get that back."
Ablett was involved in a verbal dispute after Gold Coast's 73-point loss to Melbourne last Saturday when he tried to placate an irate supporter, but Eade said he had not yet received an update.
The club is investigating the matter.
The Suns meet GWS at Spotless Stadium on Saturday and is looking to break a run of four consecutive losses.