Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is concentrating on the names on his team sheet - rather than the seemingly always increasing injury list at Alberton.

Boyd Woodcock - first AFL game since June 10, answering the need in attack where Port Adelaide is without proven small forwards Orazio Fantasia and Robbie Gray.

Riley Bonner - recalled after last playing on July 3 to enhance options from half-back to the midfield where Port Adelaide is without any of its three young guns Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters nor the running machine, Steven Motlop.

Peter Ladhams - back to work as a ruckman for the first time in four weeks to deal with the challenges posed by St Kilda in a match with location and timeslot still to be confirmed.

And Hinkley has no doubt how this trio - and anyone in the Port Adelaide 23 - wants to make an impression this weekend while more and more questions are asked of the team's prospects to September's top-eight finals.

"It is a good opportunity for people who are going to play in the side," Hinkley said at Alberton on Friday afternoon. "Boyd Woodcock had been looking for another opportunity. 

"There are plenty of people who want an opportunity and a chance to play well. 

"For us, it is about sharing the load - it is the same mentality we have had right through this season: The ability of the squad.

"We need to make sure we can to cover an area - and at this moment we are being stretched in one particular area."

At selection, Port Adelaide ultimately was forced into three changes by injury with midfielder-forwards Motlop (ankle) and Rozee (knee) joining Butters (right knee) on a now extensive list at Alberton.

"(Motlop) has a syndesmosis injury - he got through the game (against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval last Thursday) which shows the courage of Stevie," Hinkley said. "He has had a history of a grumbly ankle. We just thought it was typical, his ankle being sore after a game. (On Thursday at training) he tried to do some change of direction and further investigation has shown he has done an injury that is a bit more severe - and he will need some surgery to fix it.

"Connor's knee copped a big hit against Charlie (Dixon) late in the game last week. We thought eight, nine days he might have been okay. But we need to make sure he is right."

The tactical changes at selection were the cutting of key defender Tom Clurey, a week after his return to the AFL from a broken jaw, and the recall of ruckman-forward Peter Ladhams to support lead ruckman Scott Lycett.

Port Adelaide will revert to the three key defensive roles in the hands of captain Tom Jonas, Trent McKenzie and Sydney recruit Aliir Aliir.

The Lycett-Ladhams pairing will work against St Kilda's impressive ruck tandem of Rowan Marshall and Patrick Ryder.

"It is as much about having an extra ruck this week because of Ryder and Marshall," Hinkley said of Ladhams' recall to the AFL for the first time since round 14 (June 19) against Gold Coast. "Their record together (as a St Kilda ruck tandem) is outstanding.

"We need to support Scott with a traditional ruckman while St Kilda's record with the two rucks is outstanding. We are acknowledging that is a threat for us and we think Pete can help a lot in that space."

Port Adelaide has named mid-season draftee, 20-year-old Sturt recruit Jed McEntee, for the first time in an AFL squad. He is among the emergencies with Duursma, Clurey and young defender Joel Garner.

"He is really close to selection - and he plays (as a forward) and if we keep losing players in that role there will be a real opportunity for him," Hinkley said of McEntee. "He also is learning a lot about our game. He is late starting to the (AFL) season, so that makes it a bit of a challenge for him. I like what he is doing and I think there is going to be an opportunity for him at some stage."

Port Adelaide is - as has been the norm this season - holding until late its call on the 23rd man medical substitute. This weekend's choice is further complicated by the uncertainty on the match location and time.

"We still have a bit to play through," explained Hinkley.

"We will fly in and out on the day. The game time looks to be around 1, maybe 4 (on Saturday afternoon in a closed Docklands Stadium that will be spared the rain forecast in Melbourne).

"We are working through incredibly difficult circumstances… and we will be ready to go when we need to.

"We trust the decision makers to make sure it is a safe environment for everyone.

"It is not as if we have not done this before. It will be okay."

Port Adelaide is not short of a working agenda left from the 31-point loss to Melbourne.

"We like to think we don't get stuck on the merry-go-round from week to week, (the question) of what works and what doesn't work," Hinkley said. "We like to make sure we keep building a progressive game style that our people, our team understand - and little parts that need to keep evolving and continually improving. 

"No different this week - we understand the challenge and the threat of the Saints. They are in pretty good form (with three consecutive wins) and they will be playing for a position in the eight. They have some real reasons to deliver on what they have been delivering since the bye. We know how strong they will be.

"For us, all parts of our game will need to be on notice."