Port Adelaide will draw inspiration from playmaker David Rodan's comeback from a knee reconstruction, when they play Geelong in the AFL on Sunday.

Rodan is set to return to the big time four months after undergoing radical knee surgery.

The 26-year-old midfielder ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on December 16 and opted for ligament augmentation and reconstruction system (LARS) surgery.

The LARS operation used a ligament of industrial-strength polyester fibres to replace the torn natural ligament.

Rodan has played the past two SANFL games and captain Dom Cassisi said his likely AFL return in Geelong on Sunday has given Port a boost.

"When it happened, the group was pretty saddened by it and he was quite down about it too," Cassisi said.

"He has been an inspiration to all of us really.

"He has come from a long way back with injury, he hasn't really missed too much, he was walking laps a few weeks after the injury and has built up from there.

"For all the guys, especially with such a young group, to see the work ethic that he has had to get back playing AFL footy is a credit to himself."

Rodan required a right knee reconstruction when a Richmond player in 2005, and a year later was axed from the Tigers.

Since being snapped up by Port in 2007 - the year the Power inflicted Geelong's last defeat at Skilled Stadium - Rodan's clearance work has been a key driver of Port's midfield.

"He is great around the clearances and breaking lines, he uses his pace and he does cause problems for the opposition," Cassisi said.

"We are just really looking forward to him being out there and getting through the game ... we wouldn't expect too much of him first up other than being competitive and doing the team things."

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