PORT ADELAIDE defender Hamish Hartlett has confirmed that he will play no football this weekend after sustaining hamstring tightness in Round 1 of the SANFL.

Hartlett, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in April last year, will have to wait a little longer for his return to the senior side after pulling up sore in the Magpies 31-point victory over West Adelaide last weekend.

The 28-year-old says it is only a minor setback and is expecting to be back into full training next week.

“I have suffered a fair few of these hamstring injuries in my career to date, so I’ve got a fair idea as to how serious each one is these days,” Hartlett said.

“I know this one is only very, very minor.

“I pulled up a little bit tight – at half-time I was out doing a few strides in the game against West Adelaide and it didn’t quite feel as explosive or if the hamstring was working as it should’ve.

“I managed to get through the rest of the game okay but as of Monday and Tuesday it wasn’t quite feeling right still, so we’ve decided to put it on ice for the week.”

While the rebounding defender admits the minor setback is frustrating, he is confident the rehabilitation work he has done for his knee will hold him in good stead.

“The knee is going really well, that’s almost been the least of my worries which is probably a good thing,” he said.

“In terms of the way it feels structurally and how powerful and explosive it is and the muscles around it are, I’m really confident in it.

“I don’t feel that any of my movement, change of direction, kicking has been affected at all which is really pleasing.

“Other little things that have popped up around it have been the quite frustrating part of this process.”

The Power will play the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday evening at 6.55pm ACDT, while the Magpies host the Panthers at Alberton Oval from 2.10pm on Saturday afternoon.