WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Jason Akermanis will not return to the senior side for Saturday night's clash with Port Adelaide in Darwin, though skipper Brad Johnson is expected to line up.
Coach Rodney Eade said Akermanis, who kicked five goals for VFL affiliate Williamstown last weekend, needed to work on some on-field aspects of his game before being considered for a recall.
"We've been really pleased with his form and work rate, but there's a couple of things he still needs to work on, which I've spoken to him about," Eade said on Wednesday.
"They will stay between Jason and myself. Hopefully he'll be back in the side very soon."
Akermanis has not played at AFL level since round 10, after he was demoted by the club for his controversial newspaper article on gay footballers.
A hamstring injury meant he has only spent the last fortnight in the VFL.
Eade was confident Akermanis would return to the side to contribute to its run to the finals, but he said the Brownlow Medallist was disappointed it could not happen this week.
"The form he showed last week shows he's got a bit to offer and we know what he can do as a player," he said.
"People were doubtful of that with his early-season form but what he showed last week was very impressive.
"I would think he's not far away."
The 33-year-old trained with the main group on Wednesday while Johnson, who tweaked his injured ankle in last round's win over Carlton, worked indoors.
Johnson has been training every second day and will complete his next full session at Darwin's TIO Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Bulldogs will have to make at least two changes this week because of injuries to Brennan Stack (hamstring) and Barry Hall (ankle).
Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Brodie Moles and young forward Liam Jones, who is yet to make his debut, are chances to face the Power, however Eade said Josh Hill was a "long shot".
And though Hall is expected to return against Fremantle in round 17, ruckman Will Minson (ankle) and Mitch Hahn (hamstring) are already in doubt for that match.
The Power will play their first game under caretaker coach Matthew Primus this week, with the Bulldogs mindful of the effect the change might have on the side.
"History shows players get themselves up, don't they?" Eade said.
"Having said that, they displayed a lot of passion last Friday [against Collingwood] and we know they've got some talent.
"From our point of view, we're expecting a hard game, especially in the heat up there."
