Richmond star midfielder Ben Cousins will miss the club's last AFL practice match on Saturday with a gastric complaint.

The 31-year-old former West Coast skipper spent Thursday night and much of Friday in hospital to undergo medical testing after suffering abdominal pain and cramping.

Tigers football manager Craig Cameron said slight gastric inflammation had been identified as the cause and the 2005 Brownlow Medallist would spend the weekend resting.

That means he will miss Richmond's practice match against Essendon in Morwell on Saturday.

But it is not expected to affect his availability for the season-opener against Carlton at the MCG on March 25.

"Ben will rest up over the weekend and he will be back at training on Monday," Cameron said.

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