Gray likely to take on Gold Coast

PORT Adelaide star Robbie Gray is likely to play against Gold Coast this weekend but may be forced to miss a fortnight of action after that as he battles ongoing groin issues.

The Power midfielder has been plagued by groin soreness since January and missed chunks of pre-season with the injury.

Port teammate Hamish Hartlett said Gray had been on a managed training program in the lead-up to the club’s historic clash with Gold Coast in China on Sunday.

Hartlett said Gray would be assessed during the Power’s bye weekend, which follows the trip to Shanghai.

“I would say he would be right for China this week (and) we’ll be able to manage him through that one,” he said.

“Obviously we’ve got the bye, then he might need to miss a week or two after that.

“It’s a conversation that Robbie will probably need to have with (Port) fitness and medical staff in due course.”

Gray has been deployed in a more attacking role this season and has generally impressed, kicking 18 goals and averaging 17 disposals.

Hartlett said the 29-yearold had been an important contributor in the Power’s mixed 4-3 start to the year.

“They (groin injuries) are fairly restrictive, they do limit your power and your training,” Hartlett said.

“So there are going to be games where he’s not going to be able to get the output that we would like.

“But if we get the ball into his area one-on-one often enough he’ll still do some damage for us.”