Richmond star midfielder Ben Cousins is expected to miss the AFL club's final pre-season match after being sent to hospital with stomach pains.

Tigers football manager Craig Cameron said the 31-year-old former West Coast skipper was due to spend Thursday night in hospital for observation and undergo medical tests on Friday.

"Ben's condition does not appear serious, but as a precautionary measure we would like some tests done to see what the problem is," Cameron said.

He said it was doubtful Cousins would play in Saturday's practice match against Essendon in Morwell, despite having been named in the squad on Thursday.

The 2005 Brownlow Medallist joined the Tigers last season, after being forced to spend a year out of the game.

But he tore his hamstring in the opening round and missed the club's following five games.

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