GOLD Coast players with breathing conditions like asthma will not board the plane to China next week for the historic clash with Port Adelaide, Suns coach Rodney Eade says.

Most of northern China, including Shanghai where next Sunday afternoon's game will take place, is experiencing unhealthy pollution levels after a thick sandstorm swept through the region. 

Eade said those with breathing difficulties would not be risked. 

"That smog … hopefully there's no respiratory problems," Eade told Triple M on Sunday. 

"We won't take any players who have got asthma or have got respiratory problems anyway. 

"So that'll have to all be decided on Tuesday, so there may be some changes before the game." 

However, the Suns' coach refused to reveal which players could be most affected.

Eade added the impending trip to China presented his team with difficult travel logistics. 

"You can't get a direct flight there," Eade said, citing the 20 to 21-hour journey it would take to arrive in China, including the bus trip to Brisbane and the airport wait time. 

"It is going to be (difficult) and not many players are in business (class), so exit rows, all those sorts of things.

"That's probably more my concern – the preparation for players and even coming back as well, even though we have the bye the next week." 

Gold Coast and Port Adelaide are set to play the first game outside Australia or New Zealand for premiership points next Sunday at 3.15pm AEST.