JARED Polec will play three quarters of Port Adelaide's NAB Challenge opener against the Sydney Swans as he continues his return from a foot injury that almost ended his career.

Polec played just five games last year before being sidelined with a fractured navicular bone in his left foot.

The 23-year-old starred in the Power's internal trial last Friday night, moving well and pulling up without soreness.

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He's set to play two of Port's three NAB Challenge games and his coach Ken Hinkley said the wingman would likely see significant game time when named.

"This weekend we're trying to get three quarters into Jared," Hinkley said. 

"We're managing him that way, and then we'll probably play him potentially the next week as well.

"He's coming off a long time out of the game so it's important for him to get some continuity into playing, and making sure we manage his foot as best we can."

Hinkley also talked up the work ethic of new recruit Jimmy Toumpas.

The former Demon crossed to Alberton last October looking for a fresh start in order to reach the potential many saw when he impressed at SANFL level before being drafted with pick No.4 in 2012.

Toumpas was quiet in Port's internal trial, but Hinkley insisted the youngster had done everything asked of him during the summer. 

"I think he's been really good for us through the pre-season. He couldn't have worked any harder to impress his teammates and the coaching staff," he said.

"Last week I thought he started off really well in the internal (game), got a whack on the knee that slowed him down, but overall he'd be really, really comfortable with his pre-season. 

"The test is, he gets to action that with a group of players for the first time." 

The Power will field a relatively inexperienced side on Saturday against the Swans with the aim of bringing in its big guns in the final two pre-season games.