Port Adelaide will meet with Shaun Burgoyne's management next week as he weighs up his AFL future.

Power coach Mark Williams remains confident Burgoyne will stay at Alberton, despite a media report on Friday saying the midfielder wanted a fresh start in Melbourne.

Williams was quoted on the club's website as saying Burgoyne had a lot on his mind and Port were happy to give him more time.

"Shaun's brother (Peter) has retired, he's been here for a long time, he's just had an operation on his knee and his wife recently gave birth, so we're very happy for Shaun to take a bit of time," Williams said.

"He knows how much we need him and we love him, hopefully, he decides to stay."

Burgoyne, who is 27 next month, only managed nine AFL games this season because of his knee injury.

He underwent surgery this week to repair a cartilage problem.

The star onballer has played 157 games since his 2002 debut.

Williams said ongoing injury trouble was bound to affect Burgoyne or any other player.

"What I've learned over the years is that it doesn't matter if you're the best or the worst player on the list, if you have an extended time out of the game, you lose your self-esteem," Williams said.

"You lose your position in the club and start to question where you belong, who your friends are and who's supporting you because everyone else has to get on with the next week.

"We have welfare people, psychologists and fitness coaches to help, but managing those players for an extended period of time is a challenge for anyone - Shaun has come off all that."

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