JUST when the rehab room at Alberton was to empty, the "squad mentality" and prudent strategy of having Port Adelaide players master at least two team roles gains more and more relevance - and purpose.

Port Adelaide's selection whiteboard for the top-eight clash with Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening loses midfielder-forward Robbie Gray (knee surgery, eight weeks) and first-year academy graduate Lachie Jones (hamstring) - just as the teenager was building his second string by his conversion from half-back to half-forward.

The reinforcements are (reassuringly) on the way back ... but not soon enough to deepen the discussion at match committee for the round 15 clash with the sixth-ranked Sydney (8-5).

Port Adelaide football chief Chris Davies at Alberton on Monday afternoon detailed the injury list as a bridge still short of completion. So the demand for a truly flexible and versatile squad is more pressing at selection this week.

Certain of returning to the selection list is key forward Todd Marshall who will have completed the 12-day concussion protocols. Half-forward Boyd Woodcock, the 23rd man against Geelong as the activated medical substitute, also is in contention.

But numbers are becoming thinner from an expanding injury list.

"It is going to be a challenge for us, no doubt," Davies said.

"We do have options, but the cupboard is becoming increasingly bare. At the same time, there are some guys who have played some good AFL footy who are going to get a chance now - and for a period of time with Robbie Gray and Lachie Jones out.

"We start to get guys back the following week (for the clash with Hawthorn). It is a good thing for us while we are struggling for numbers."

The injury list could release in the next fortnight midfielder Xavier Duursma (knee), specialist forward Orazio Fantasia (knee) and defender Tom Clurey (broken jaw).

"Fantasia is unlikely for this weekend, but he is recovering - and probably back for the following week (against Hawthorn) or the week after (against league leader Melbourne)," Davies said. "At this stage, he is more doubtful than likely to play this weekend.

"(Untried rookie-listed defender) Jake Pasini plays his first game for a while at the weekend and (untried father-son recruit) Jackson Mead will be available in the next couple of weeks (after recovering from a ruptured spleen)," Davies added.

"We list (rookie-listed father-son pick) Taj Schofield (hamstring) with injury again at the weekend. 

"There are some guys coming back who will make us better at AFL level ... but they are probably not coming back this week."

Midfielder Zak Butters (knee and ankle) also is making sound progress in his comeback, but a return date to competitive football remains uncertain.

"Zak is running and doing the right things, but we are not putting a timeframe on his return," Davies said. "But there is no doubt he is closer than before his last round of surgery."

Selection options from the SANFL - where Port Adelaide was beaten by Sturt at Alberton Oval - focus on the untried Dylan Williams.

The left-footed forward - and No.23 call in the 2019 AFL national draft - has enhanced his chances of becoming the 197th player to represent the Port Adelaide Football Club in the AFL on the back of his six-goal performance in the State league.

"After (the weekend) you only need to stand upright to be a chance for selection this week with our injury list," Davies said. "Dylan did really well. He did as much as we could have asked of him during a disappointing performance for us at SANFL level.

"So he is a chance. There is no doubt Dylan put his best foot forward at the right time."

Gray had surgery late on Monday to repair his left knee after initial assessments suggested a medial ligament strain.

"Unfortunately," Davies said, "bits have come away at the bottom (of the ligament) ... 

And, hopefully, he will be back in eight weeks' time.

"Playing in eight weeks ... Normally, it is four weeks in a brace, a couple of weeks worth of running after that and a couple of weeks (of training) with change in direction. So eight weeks before he plays again.

"Robbie is disappointed. It was not a great end to his 250th game. He was pleased with the win (by 50 points against Gold Coast on the road). His challenge now will be to get right before the finals come around.

"There was never any doubt that no matter what happens from here that Robbie Gray will be here next year ... ".

Jones has a grade 2 hamstring strain - his second hamstring injury of the year.

"Lachie will be out for a month," Davies said. "We are feeling (the fall-out) of collision injuries more than in previous years. And when you compound that with niggly, soft-tissue injury from maybe longer game time (after shortened quarters last year); the guys cracking in more and the game being quicker it all adds up (on the injury list).

"And we feel we have been a little bit unlucky ... At 9-4, and we think we are going pretty well considering our injuries."