PORT ADELAIDE General Manager - Football Chris Davies is disappointed for Ollie Wines, but knows the club has been able to build a list that can cover injuries throughout the year.

Wines dislocated his left shoulder during match simulation training on Wednesday, and after consultation with medical staff underwent a shoulder operation on Monday evening.

Davies says Wines is a professional player who is always diligent with his rehabilitation, and expects him to return to the side bigger and better than ever.

“It’s just unlucky - I don’t think, looking back at the footage of the incident, there would’ve been anyone who would have a different outcome,” Davies told media at a press conference at Alberton Oval on Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s disappointing for him, but all he can do now is get it done and approach his rehab in a professional way.

“He’s now certainly in a position where he has come to terms with what’s happened.

“He’s an absolute professional and once he gets through the post-surgery haze, he will be thinking what’s next for him and how he can come back bigger and better.”

The head of football at Port Adelaide expected the vice-captain to work really hard in training in a bid to return early, but conceded the club would take a cautious approach with the midfield bull.

“He’s the type of guy who really pushes as well, that’s why I’m hesitant to put any dates on it at the moment,” Davies said.

“The reality is that he will work as hard as he possibly can to get back as soon as he can. The coaches will have to balance that with when’s right for him to come back.

“He will work hard. He will get back as soon as he possibly can, and when he’s back we need to make sure he’s right.”

Davies said the midfield depth at the club is extremely exciting, and there are a number of players who can fill the void in Wines’ absence.

“The challenge for our coaching group this year is as much about picking a team that is balanced with the way we want to play,” he said.

“We are obviously really disappointed with Ollie getting injured, but at the same time we have other players who play a similar type of role, who we have a heap of confidence in.

“If he was to miss games at the start of the year when the first team gets picked at AFL level, we have players who can do the job for us.”

Davies said it is an exciting opportunity for some young players to step into a midfield role, as well as integrate senior players who missed chunks of senior football last season back into the centre.

“We have a lot of players who can go through those types of roles,” he said.

“Ebert missed half of last year, who you would say is a direct replacement. We also want to add some guys like Rozee and Butters to that group.

“Karl Amon can go inside and out. Mayes has been training outstandingly well so far. Duursma is going to have the ability to go inside as well.

“With the mix of the guys - it will be really interesting to see what we end up with. Training right now is the best indicator of what we’ve got.

“It’s a really exciting group.”