GOLD Coast is likely to have Gary Ablett back next week, but coach Guy McKenna is counting a mounting injury toll after Saturday night's loss to the Brisbane Lions.

 

Sam Day (groin) is unlikely to play Richmond in Cairns next Saturday, while Daniel Gorringe (shoulder) has been playing severely restricted.

 

The big man crisis is deepening for McKenna's men.

 

Zac Smith (knee) is out for the season, Charlie Dixon (ankle) has played just once since round six, while Tom Lynch (knee) is out for an indefinite period.

 

The one bright light is Ablett's expected return from a calf injury.

 

McKenna did not make excuses for the 33-point defeat, but said his wounded talls were becoming an issue.

 

"You don't plan on injuries, but eventually they take their toll," he said.

 

"We're just don't have polish going forward, that could be personnel. If you looked at our side with Dixon and Smith and (Brandon) Matera and these guys in, it could be different.

 

"The good thing was the boys fought the fight and we came up short."

 

There is some relief in sight for the Suns though, with tall defenders Seb Tape and Matthew Warnock playing strongly in the reserves.

 

Both will be strongly considered next week, with Tape now well on the way back from a knee reconstruction, and Warnock from a broken arm.

 

"We're obviously depleted in our tall stocks. With adversity comes great challenge, great hope, and that's what we look forward to," McKenna said.

 

"Clearly we'd be better off if some of these blokes hadn't broken legs and snapped ACLs.

 

"I don't think the boys are putting the cue in the rack. They're moving forward to establish themselves in the AFL."

 

Gold Coast got within six points late in the third quarter, but a Daniel Rich goal before the last change proved too much.

 

The Lions kicked five goals to two in the last quarter to win comfortably, but McKenna said there were still some good signs.

 

One positive was the form of Jared Brennan, who was recalled when Ablett withdrew on Friday.

 

The former Lion had 21 disposals and three goals.

 

"I thought his performance was very good. Three goals and worked on the areas he had to work on and he got the rewards which was fantastic," McKenna said.