Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been hospitalised with a viral infection and will miss his team's clash with North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.

Hinkley, who has engineered a great turnaround in the Power's fortunes this season, was admitted to hospital on Wednesday night for observation after complaining of severe back pain throughout the day.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has won five straight games since taking over at Alberton Oval. Credit:Getty Images

The illness will prevent Hinkley travelling to Hobart for the match against the Kangaroos, with director of coaching and strategy Alan Richardson to take over in his absence on the weekend.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said the flight was the reason Hinkley would be absent from the coach's box.