PORT Adelaide co-captain Ollie Wines says there's a "slight risk" his thumb "could break pretty easily", but he's willing to roll the dice with the Power's season on the line.

Wines will wear a guard for at least the rest of the home and away season, as he did in last weekend's 47-point win over Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

It was the 24-year-old's first game since fracturing his thumb in the Power's round 17 loss to Brisbane on July 14.

"I'm playing with a guard at the moment and I'll need a guard for a few more weeks, so there is a slight risk," Wines said on Wednesday.

"It's six weeks (post-injury) when it's at about 85 per cent strength.

"We weighed it up and looked at the situation we're in and the time of year and the reward outweighs the risk.

"I've passed the pain stage in it.

"There's just a risk that if it does cop a knock it could break pretty easily."

Wines had 22 touches and two goals against the Swans after coming into the side when youngster Zak Butters was ruled out with a bruised sternum.

"Initially, I was pretty frustrated with the call, but once I could think a little bit logical, it made a bit of sense," Wines said.

"I've had a really interrupted year so I understood I needed that game time in the SANFL."

The Power (10-10) have moved into eighth spot, above Adelaide on percentage, ahead of Saturday night's crucial clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Emerging ruckman Peter Ladhams is set to go up against Kangaroos veteran Todd Goldstein, with West Coast premiership-winner Scott Lycett unlikely to be recalled despite a big performance in the SANFL.

"(Lycett) is frustrated, but at the end of the day, he understands where the coaches are coming from," Wines said.

"He understands that Peter Ladhams is in some pretty good form and deserves his spot at the moment.

"Scott will do everything he can to get back into the team."

Defender Ryan Burton trained strongly on Wednesday, but he's likely to come back through the SANFL after missing four weeks with a hamstring injury.

Burton hasn't played since injuring his hamstring in round 17. Picture: AFL Photos



Butters is also expected to be available.

Wines said he was excited the Power had been granted permission to wear Port Adelaide's traditional "Prison Bars" jumper in both Showdowns next year as part of the club's 150th-year anniversary celebrations.

"It's our roots and it brings us back to Alberton Oval," he said.

"You speak to a lot of the club legends and the success they had and you realise what a privilege it is not to just wear the Power jumper, but the Magpies jumper.

"That's going to be special in those Showdowns."

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