DASHING Brisbane Lions defender Josh Drummond has dismissed suggestions his team will struggle after midfielders Michael Rischitelli, Jared Brennan and Justin Sherman left to rival clubs, saying the Lions will not "lose anything" in their absence.

Speaking at the Lions' Telstra AFL Community Camp in Toowoomba, Drummond said he was confident the next batch of Lions midfielders would be more than capable replacements for the stars.

"I don't think we're going to lose anything in those guys," Drummond told lions.com.au.

"The players we’ve got coming through ... in the likes of Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich and even Jared Polec this year have really shown a lot.

"All of the young guys have been impressive, they all have fine skills, move really well and look like real footballers, so we're very excited to see how they go."

The injury-plagued Drummond, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in round seven against Fremantle last year and then underwent LARS surgery, said he was unlikely to play in the NAB Cup but was ready for round one after a smooth pre-season.

"I obviously missed a lot of footy last year, so I'm keen and excited to get back into it. But with my injury history, and the fact I'm getting a bit older now, I won't play the opening week of the NAB Cup next week but I'll hopefully play the last one or two games and get some match practice before round one," the 27-year-old said.

Drummond, who has become a vital member of the Lions' set-up with his booming left-foot kick out of half-back, said he had no concerns about the radical surgery failing under the pressure of match conditions.

"It was very disappointing to go down last year, but the knee is going really well. I've had no issues over the pre-season and I was actually ready to play at the end of last season but didn't risk it," Drummond said.

"I was back running five or six weeks after the operation and it feels really good, so I'm not running around with any apprehension or nervousness.

"A lot of guys who have conventional surgery do it again as well, so doing it again is just a risk we run playing the game."

Despite several off-field controversies at the club over summer, including the sacking of troublesome forward Albert Proud this week, Drummond said there was a positive vibe around the club.

"Obviously we've had some distractions, but the players have really galvanised together well," said Drummond, who has only played 72 games for the Lions since making his debut in 2005.

"We realise last year was a disappointment, and we're looking forward to proving a few people wrong this year and showing that we're a much better team than what last year suggested."