TWO FIRST-ROUND draftees, Josh Schache and Hugh McCluggage, have been ruled out of the Brisbane Lions’ round one team with injury.

Schache, drafted at no. 2 by the Lions in 2015, suffered a low-grade medial ligament strain in his knee several weeks ago at training.

Head of medical Peter Blanch said the club hopes Schache will return sometime in the early rounds of this year.



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"He's been running and kicking and changing direction, he'll get back into training next week," Blanch said on lions.com.au.

The key forward played 17 games in his debut season, kicking 16 goals and cementing his spot in the Lions' line-up.

McCluggage was drafted at No. 3 last year, and injured his ankle playing in a JLT Community Series match against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago.

He did not require surgery but has been wearing a moonboot to assist his recovery.

Blanch said McCluggage is expected to be sidelined for another three weeks.

"Hugh is out of his boot, he's started rehabbing his ankle and he'll start running next week."

The Brisbane Lions face Gold Coast in round one, on Saturday March 25 at Metricon Stadium.