Gold Coast co-captain David Swallow has escaped major injury after a collision in Round 1 saw him leave the field with a knee concern.

Swallow was able to return to the field but was nursed throughout the game and played predominantly forward.

SUNS Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull told the Alpha Sport Injury Update there was no serious damage to Swallow’s knee and he would be a test for this weekend.

“He’s got significant bone bruising and swelling around his knee but structurally his knee is actually in really good condition which is really pleasing,” Bull said.

“Dave will do everything he can to be available for this weekend but we’ll need to assess where he’s at towards the end of the week.”

After also taking a heavy knock to his knees in the opening quarter, Ben Ainsworth is expected to miss over a month of football.

Ainsworth was attempting a shot at goal when a St Kilda defender fell across his legs in an attempted smother, causing Ainsworth’s knees to buckle and fold underneath the weight.

Bull said Ainsworth would be re-evaluated towards the end of the week.

“Ben had a St Kilda player come across his knee as he went to kick and unfortunately injured both his medial and lateral co-lateral ligaments in his knee alongside having some significant bone bruising as well,” Bull said.

“Ben’s in a brace currently, did really well to play out the game and we’ll need to assess where he’s at more towards the end of the week to see whether he comes out of the brace.

“At this stage we’re looking at around 4-6 weeks for Ben’s return to play.”

Sam Collins was another casualty to the injury ward when in the dying seconds he attacked a contest and sustained a blow to the head.

“Sam showed some signs of concussion straight after the game unfortunately so he’ll have to pass our really strict return-to-play concussion protocol this week in order to be available against Fremantle,” Bull advised.

In the NEAFL practice match, three SUNS returned from injury, however SSP signing Sam Fletcher sustained an ankle injury early in the match but was able to push through and play out the game.

“Unfortunately for Sam he hurt his medial ankle in the game so he’ll likely miss a couple of weeks with that while we get him up to scratch,” Bull said.

“Pleasingly we had Nick Holman, Corey Ellis and Jack Leslie all return from injury,” Bull said.

“Jack Leslie especially after having six months off has done a power of work with our rehab team and has pulled up really well from the game which is a testament to Jack’s professionalism and is really exciting news.”