Star forward Robbie Gray returns to the side after two weeks on the sidelines. Image: AFL Photos.

ROBBIE Gray is back. After two weeks on the sidelines to rebuild strength and confidence in his battered knees, the match-winning goalkicker will return to AFL action in Port Adelaide's away clash with Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

And Port Adelaide is still optimistic his goalkicking partner as an opportunist forward, Orazio Fantasia, will overcome an injury jinx to play a part in the tightrope rush to September's top-eight AFL finals.

Gray will be named in Port Adelaide's match 22 on Friday evening when deputy vice-captain Darcy Byrne-Jones will resume in defence, but not fellow defender Tom Clurey. And the Port Adelaide defence will gain an AFL debutant - father-son pick Jase Burgoyne, son of 2004 AFL premiership hero Peter.

But Fantasia - who has been restricted to one AFL game (as an unused medical substitute against North Melbourne in Hobart in round nine) this season - will stay in the rehabilitation ward at Alberton after feeling another leg-muscle twinge at training this week.

Port Adelaide football chief Chris Davies says the critical note with Fantasia is clean bill of health on the small forward's knees, which have required three rounds of corrective surgery in the past nine months.

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Chris Davies press conference - 1 July 2022 | PTV

Chris Davies speaks to the media at Alberton Oval

"The positive is Orazio's knee is not the issue any more," Davies said at Alberton on Friday. "Orazio went through a significant period of time when his knee was a bigger issue than anything else.

"Now, Orazio is having some soft-tissue troubles that are the result of his lack of conditioning. He has not been injured in a game. All his speed numbers to be available this week were good. But it hasn't worked out for him.

"Orazio pulled up a little bit sore on Wednesday, unfortunately right at the end of training.

"We have assessed him across the past 36 hours and he has a minor strain that will keep him out for this week and we will reassess next week.

"Orazio is doing as much as he possibly can, but his body is letting him down at the moment. It is frustrating, but we will give him the best opportunity to come back again."

Fantasia joined Port Adelaide from Essendon last season when he played 15 of a possible 24 matches. His off-season campaign to overcome knee injuries has finally succeeded, but the 26-year-old forward is now challenged to build new strength in the muscles around his knees.

"The reality is, Orazio was not able to do much work during the pre-season (while he recovered from repeat knee surgery)," Davies said. "His situation right now is not related to the knee. It is a soft-tissue injury.

"He is doing everything he can to come back.

"We knew Orazio had a history of injury before he came to us. We wanted him here. We need to get him fit. We need to keep working to achieve that.

"We are confident he will get back. So far, he hasn't ..."

Livewire Orazio Fantasia has suffered a minor strain and won't travel to face the Dockers, delaying his return to AFL action. Image: AFL Photos.

Already successfully down the path of rebuilding body conditioning is Gray, who had been restricted at training after having a Brisbane player fall over his right knee in the season-opener at the Gabba on March 19.

"Robbie has been able to train for the first time since," Davies said. "Unfortunately, there was a decent period of time when we were managing Robbie from a training perspective and trying to get him through games but the reality was he - even someone as good as Robbie Gray - could not get through.

"It reached the point where if you don't train, you start to look out of condition. So we are pleased Robbie has put a solid period of work into his training and we are pleased to have him back in the side this week."

Gray will play his 10th AFL game of the season on Sunday. He has scored 10.5 in his nine matches this year.

McKenzie will be chosen ahead of Clurey to work the key defensive tandem with Aliir Aliir in the All-Australian defender's 100th AFL match.

"Unfortunately, Tom Clurey missed last week by the health and safety protocols - and he is still battling a bit of a knee issue," Davies said. "Right now, Trent retains his spot."

Port Adelaide's defence this week loses Riley Bonner (fractured cheekbone and eye socket). Surgery did not require a plate to be inserted.

Midfielder Zak Butters' optimism of a return against Fremantle did not unfold on the training track where he still was limited by the medial ligament strain to his left knee.

"Zak struggled with change of direction," Davies said. "We were hopeful he might have played - and he is pushing really hard to be back. But the reality is, he is not ready. We are hopeful of next week."

Zak Butters will be given another week to prove his fitness after suffering a knee injury in Round 14. Image: AFL Photos.

Port Adelaide is still not sure of ruckman Scott Lycett making his return from a serious shoulder injury in the SANFL this week.

"Less likely than more likely at SANFL," Davies said.

Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley was absent from Alberton on Friday, but will return for the captain's run on Saturday after a 26-man squad travels to Perth.

"Ken has a family issue he is dealing with, but he will be fine (for the weekend)," Davies said. "He will be back (on Saturday)."

Port Adelaide (7-7, 12th) faces a Fremantle team seeking to hold its top-four ranking after the Western Australian club has delivered a 3-3 win-loss count during the past six matches. In the past month, Fremantle has been 3-1 with the wins including a 38-point triumph against AFL premier Melbourne at the MCG.

Port Adelaide has won the past three games against Fremantle - two at Adelaide Oval and one on the Gold Coast.

The match begins at 4.50pm SA time. It will be Port Adelaide's first trip to Perth since round 3 (April 3) last season when West Coast scored a 37-point win. The most recent Port Adelaide-Fremantle game in Perth was on June 15, 2019 - with Fremantle winning by 21 points.