from www.portadelaidefc.com.au

IT will be a testing day on the track at Port Adelaide on Thursday with several key players battling to prove their fitness ahead of Sunday’s clash at AAMI Stadium.

PortAdelaideFC.com.au looks at who’s in the mix for selection for the Power this week:

Hamish Hartlett looks set to return from the hamstring injury he suffered against the Bulldogs in Round 12.

The talented 21-year-old still needs to prove his fitness at tomorrow’s closed session at AAMI Stadium, but expect him to line-up should the club’s medicos give him the all clear.

Jacob Surjan is also in line to return from injury, with the gutsy defender likely to prove he’s recovered from a glute injury at training on Thursday.

David Rodan (hamstring), John Butcher (hip), Brent Renouf (knee) and Jay Schulz (absomen) have all been ruled out because of injury.

Ben Jacobs stated his case for a return to the Power’s starting 22 with a best on ground performance for the Magpies, which also earned him the SANFL Player of the Week Award.

Jacobs dominated across half back racking up 29 possessions and using the ball very well by foot. The 20-year-old would be a logical replacement for Jasper Pittard, who suffered rib and lung injuries in Round 17, but will face strong competition from Darren Pfeiffer and Surjan for that spot.

Jarrad Redden received praise from the development coaches for his ruckwork in the Eagles’ win over Sturt and could be recalled to match Fremantle’s height. Freo played three ruckmen - Jon Griffin, Zac Clarke and Kepler Bradley - against GWS and are likely to do the same on Sunday if the conditions are dry.

Nathan Blee was good again for North Adelaide, playing as a forward last week and booting two goals, and is just waiting for his opportunity at AFL level while Cam Hitchcock returned successfully from a hamstring injury in the SANFL. It’s likely he’ll spend more time getting back to full fitness at Glenelg.

The win over the Demons means it's likely the match committee won't swing too many changes when the team is announced on Thursday night.

The Power will conduct a closed training session at AAMI Stadium on Thursday.