LANCE Franklin appears unlikely to play against Port Adelaide on Saturday after failing to join teammates on a lunchtime flight to Adelaide.

Social media is abuzz with speculation the forward won't play, but on Friday afternoon the club was refusing to publicly rule him out.

"He didn't travel and we've giving 24 hours to prove his fitness," a club spokesperson told AFL.com.au.

The club wouldn't detail the nature of Franklin's injury concern, describing it only as "minor." 

Rain is forecast for the game at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Brad Sewell is Hawthorn's only omission so far from the team that lost to Geelong last week.

Franklin is the highest ranked forward in the Official AFL Player Ratings, ranked 13th best in the competition overall.

Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @MattThompsonAFL