PORT Adelaide midfielder Josh Carr has been told he could take a back seat this season as the club looks to promote its youth.

Carr, 29, struggled with form and fitness in his return to Alberton last year, managing just 12 games.

The former Fremantle vice-captain had surgery on his ankle during the off-season and missed the Power's NAB Cup opener against Adelaide with a calf complaint.

Assistant coach Matthew Primus said 2010 would be an important year for Carr, who is out of contract at season's end.

"No player is just going to be given a game and Josh is going to have to work pretty hard for it. He's fighting with a lot of young guys to get a position," Primus said on Monday.

"We've got a lot of young kids and we want to get some games into them if their form says they're good enough to play.

"Rather than just going with our experienced players all the time, we're going to put a bit of game time to our younger players and that means someone has to go by the wayside."

Though Carr was left out of the revamped, three-man leadership group for this season, Primus said the premiership player would still have an important role with the Power's younger brigade.

"Josh is still going to be a key component for us … he could play 22 games no worries at all, but he knows where he sits," Primus said.

"In the middle of the season when it gets to be a hard slog and young players might struggle a bit, Josh is going to be that experienced guy. He also gives guys great lessons on how to play in the midfield.

"He watches tapes with them and he's a great guy to sit down with and learn a fair bit off."

Carr is unlikely to be available for the club's second round NAB Cup clash with West Coast in Perth on Saturday.

Forward Daniel Motlop will miss the game through suspension and Dean Brogan (corked thigh) and rookie Cameron Hitchcock (sprained AC joint) will have to prove their fitness at training on Wednesday.

Veteran duo Chad Cornes and Warren Tredrea should resume after being rested in round one and Jason Davenport, Marlon Motlop and Cameron Cloke will also be considered.