PORT Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder could be up to five weeks away from making his return as his Achilles injury heals slower than expected.

"Ryder is up and down," Power assistant coach Brendon Lade told reporters on Monday.

"The Achilles is a weird kind of muscle and takes a little bit of time sometimes, but he could be anywhere from two weeks to four or five, we just don't know.

"As soon as he starts running pain-free, then we'll ramp him up, but at this stage he's not quite there yet."



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Ryder made the All Australian team for the first time last year and also won the Power's best and fairest.

Port has gone with a makeshift combination of Dougal Howard, Justin Westhoff and Charlie Dixon in Ryder’s absence in the past two weeks.

Power coach Ken Hinkley conceded none of the club's other specialist ruckmen – Billy Frampton, Peter Ladhams or Sam Hayes – were up to AFL level.

Forward Todd Marshall will be assessed this week ahead of Saturday night's clash with Geelong at Adelaide Oval.

Marshall was concussed in the second quarter of the Power's loss to Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"He didn't play much of the game after half-time, but we think he'll be fine," Lade said.

"The six-day break might test him."

Midfielder Tom Rockliff will also have to pass a fitness test this week after having tightness in his calf muscle.

Forwards Chad Wingard and Charlie Dixon both suffered broken noses, but are expected to play.