FREMANTLE giant Aaron Sandilands has suffered a "slight setback" with his sore hamstring and won't be risked for the trip to face the Brisbane Lions this Saturday.
It will be the third-straight game on the sidelines for the 34-year-old, but coach Ross Lyon was hopeful the influential big man would be available after next weekend's bye.
Speaking on Wednesday, Lyon ruled out Hayden Ballantyne from returning after a hamstring setback, declared Ed Langdon (knee) was unlikely to face the Lions and denied Sandilands has strained his hamstring.
"That's factually incorrect – he hasn't got a hamstring strain," Lyon said.
"The tendon's been a bit inflamed and stressed, which has affected strength and movement.
"That's why it's been such an unpredictable (injury). He ran quite well yesterday.
"You’ve got to get into the 90 per cent strength range.
"Fundamentally, we think he won't get there."
Lyon said hulking draftee Sean Darcy was a chance to make his debut after winning 49 hit-outs for Peel last Saturday, but seemingly not at the expense of veteran Jon Griffin.
"We were really pleased with Jon Griffin," Lyon said.
"Sean's really growing, but Jon took some marks around the ground, his ruckwork was really competitive (against Collingwood's Brodie Grundy).
"I would think he would continue."
Lyon also shut down talk that superstar Nat Fyfe – who didn't mark the ball during an open training session last week – was battling a sore hand.
Fyfe, who collected 24 touches – 14 contested – against the Pies, has had his form heavily scrutinised coming back from a broken leg.
Garry Lyon and Terry Wallace have said the 2015 Brownlow medallist's output is well below his peak, but Lyon went into bat for his skipper.
"The rumours are he's sore, he's carrying this and that. Nathan plays a physical game," Lyon said.
"I thought he really gave us a chance to win (against Collingwood). The midfield got work after a bit of a slow start.
"He had a bit of a virus last week and he had a bit of a sore sternum, but he was all OK, he played with no painkillers or anything like that.
"Nathan doesn't make excuses and really there's none to offer, and I thought his performance was solid."
Ballantyne was listed as a test on Fremantle's injury update on Tuesday, but Lyon said the veteran goalsneak won't play at any level this weekend, while Peel and the Dockers have a bye the following week.
However, Tommy Sheridan is in line for a recall against the Lions after picking up 29 touches for the Thunder.
Harley Bennell made a brief appearance on the track on Wednesday but didn't train as he targets a long-awaited comeback from his calf issues.
"He's progressing. He ran 6km yesterday, and he's building, so hopefully that's at a 2-3 week period," Lyon said.
After back-to-back losses the Dockers are clinging on to eighth spot on the ladder, and will be searching for their 10th-straight win over the last-placed Lions to keep pace in the finals race.
