THE RETURN of injured key defenders Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove will prove huge boosts for Port Adelaide's defence says fellow defender Tom Jonas.

Carlile (hamstring) is tipped to play in the Power's next game against Collingwood in round 19 and Trengove (ankle) is a slim chance to do the same, although coach Ken Hinkley said the likely scenario would see him return to face the Sydney Swans the following week.

The Power have looked well below their best in the three games since the pair was injured against Adelaide in round 15.

Jonas said that while the likes of Cam O'Shea and Jack Hombsch had performed admirably, the absence of the club's two premier key defenders had been felt.

"They're quality players and we probably missed them a little bit so it'll be nice to get them back," Jonas said.

"We've had other people be able to come in and step up, Cam O'Shea plays tall and gives us a heap of run out of there, (Jack) Hombschy's been doing the big jobs all year.

"Jacko's (Trengove) very vocal, he's a good leader so we're missing that a little bit."

Port will enter its bye having returned to the winners list with a three-point win over Melbourne on Sunday.

It was far from convincing, however, as Jay Schulz kicked the match-winning goal with less than two minutes left in the game.

Like "any AFL footballer" in July, Jonas said the Power's playing group was tired and was looking forward to a week off to rest and recover.

But as soon as the players' time off was over, he said they would be focused on working their way back into the top four before the finals begin.

"All the premiers have come from the top four for the last however long, so obviously the double chance is very important," he said.

"We'd love to have a home final as well, so if the cards fall our way and we play good football and we get what we deserve then we'll get there.

"It'll be good to freshen up and then get back on the track Sunday and start working."