Port's injured Burton might be okay in AFL

Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton might have avoided substantial hamstring damage despite being forced out of the AFL club's latest defeat.

Burton didn't return after hurting his right hamstring in the opening quarter of Saturday night's loss to Adelaide, with club hierarchy awaiting scan results.

Power assistant coach Brett Montgomery says medicos had considered allowing Burton to return to action against the Crows before taking a cautious approach.

"We're hoping for the best," Montgomery told reporters on Monday.

"Glass half-full; that is our take right now - it couldn't be too significant."

Port's co-captain Tom Jonas ruled himself out of Sunday's home game against Gold Coast.

But triple club champion Robbie Gray is pushing to make an early return from a broken hand.

Gray was initially slated to miss a month but might come back after a two-game absence.

"The thing that will probably get in the way of Robbie's quick return will be touch ... I don't think it will have anything to do with the injury to his hand," Montgomery said.

"Once that cast was off and once he was back moving it again, it comes back to pain and touch.

"So I like that he has left the door open (to return). That is certainly the way I'm looking at it."