PORT ADELAIDE will be without Charlie Dixon for a period after the forward hurt his ankle in an incident at training this week.

Dixon had been close to returning to the field after ankle surgery in February but complained of soreness on the inside of his ankle during training.

Follow up imagery showed bone bruising, which will need time to settle, but no concern around the area he had surgery.

It is hoped the 31-year-old will be back in a month.

Fellow forward Robbie Gray has also been ruled out of Friday night’s Variety Showdown LI under the AFL’s Health and Safety protocols.

Gray will be back in training next week before the Round 4 Thursday night game against reigning premier Melbourne.