Rhys Mathieson is set to miss 4-6 weeks after injuring his ankle in a training accident.

“Rhys Mathieson had a really bad sprain to his ankle,” Brisbane Lions Head of Medical, Peter Blanch told Lions.com.au.

“The sprain resulted in some ligament issues, including ligaments in the top of his ankle.

“Luckily it wasn’t bad enough that it required surgery, but he will be in rehabilitation for the next 4-6 weeks.”

In better news, Cian Hanley is set to play his first game of Australian Rules Football on the weekend, when he lines up for the Lions NEAFL side in Saturday’s practice match against the Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL team.

The 20-year-old Irish recruit will return after two tough years battling injury – first an ACL and then groin problems.

“Cian Hanley, after two years of not playing, he will play for the first time,” Blanch said.

“It’s been tough for Cian, he’s had a number of problems but has worked really hard and he’s got a good result.”