Brisbane Lions linchpin Jonathan Brown is set to make his return from a groin injury this weekend after breezing through Wednesday's gruelling training session.

Brown trained at full pace for the first time in over a fortnight at the Gabba with coach Leigh Matthews keeping a close eye on his prime up-front target who has been struggling with osteitis pubis.

The 24-year-old is likely to be named at centre-half forward by the Lions' selection panel for Saturday's AFL clash against Port Adelaide after missing the past two games.

His absence was severely felt by Brisbane last weekend when the three-time premiers crashed to an 84-point loss to Sydney.

Brown is likely to be joined in the side by Simon Black (hamstring) and Mal Michael (finger) despite the premiership winning duo being restricted to stationary skills at training.

But defenders Jed Adcock (groin), Joel MacDonald (hamstring) and Josh Drummond (hamstring) remain in serious doubt.

Brisbane utility Robbie Copeland admitted that the side had struggled in the lead-up to games because of injuries.

"That's the biggest thing, like, we've had a bad run with injuries and I suppose it's hard to prepare," Copeland said.

"But you've got to go out there and think that everyone's going to be right and at the end of the week, when you know what the team is, you can move on from there."

One player who knows already that he is no chance of playing this weekend is star midfielder Nigel Lappin, who made his first appearance at the Gabba since breaking his leg against the Swans.

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