PORT Adelaide is confident No.16 draft pick Ben Jacobs will be ready for a round-one debut against reigning premiers Collingwood next season, but the club's second selection West Australian Ben Newton says he'll be taking a much slower approach.

PTV: In Their Own Words

Newton, 18, was forced to sit out the second half of this season after badly injuring his ankle on debut for the South Fremantle reserves in July.

The injury happened when a West Perth opponent landed across the back of his left ankle during a tackle, causing damage similar to that suffered by Port Adelaide great Warren Tredrea earlier this year.

Tredrea had surgery, which involved inserting a synthetic ligament into his ankle, to repair the damaged tibia-fibula joint but Newton said he had no choice but to embark on a more traditional and time-consuming rehabilitation.

"It took a while for the medical staff at the footy club to pick my injury up and by the time they did it was too late," Newton said on Monday. "I was too far down the track for them to do surgery on my ankle.

"Every time I walked my ankle would push up into my leg. I still get a bit of pain when I jog or run, but it's been a fair few months since I did it so I'm nearing the end of the injury."

Newton is expected to start running next month and the left-footer said he was expected to make a full recovery.

"The doctors said that once I get my ankle right it won't affect me long term," Newton said.

"I have a good idea that my pre-season will be quite modified, but I've only been here a couple of days so I'm not sure.

"I'd love to play round one, but we'll have to see how my pre-season goes."