Finally, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for Michael Voss.

But the embattled Brisbane Lions AFL coach is still in the dark on why his team can't win without their returning captain Jonathan Brown.

Like every long-suffering Lions fan, Voss has been counting down Brown's eight-week recovery from horrific facial fractures.

While relieved Brown will return in Saturday night's Gabba clash with North Melbourne, Voss is disappointed his team will welcome him back from the bottom of the ladder.

Indeed, the Lions look in worse shape than Brown did when he collided with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin in the season opener.

The Lions extended their worst season start to 0-7 after Saturday night's 36-point loss to an out-of-sorts Essendon at the Gabba.

"In one way, we've fought through that (Brown's unavailability) and haven't talked about it," Voss said.

"But in another way, it's disappointing we have to rely on the big fella to come back and give us that direction when we've certainly got the capability there.

"He not only gives us his ability, but he gives us his voice and presence and ability to organise.

"It just would have been nice to achieve that without him there but, rightly or wrongly, we haven't been able to do that."

With Brown expected to receive a medical clearance by Tuesday, Voss was keeping his fingers crossed a pumped-up captain would help the Lions salvage their season.

"Clearly we will start a long way back, but it's important we do salvage something from the season," Voss said.

"He (Brown) has been a frustrated guy.

"He has felt like he has been suspended because once the pain went from his face, he was right to do everything at training.

"But he will come back pretty fresh. He has had a solid training block to get himself right."

Voss remains under the pump as Lions coach - and even rival Essendon coach James Hird feels for him.

They might have had similar playing careers - they were even co-winners of the 1996 Brownlow Medal - but their coaching careers were poles apart after Hird's dream start as Essendon mentor.

"I think you feel for any coach. It's a tough job. When you win, it's real enjoyable. When you lose, it's not much fun," Hird said of Voss' plight.

"I hope they have success. I hope that Vossy has success.

"He's a quality person. He's a quality football person.

"I'm glad they didn't turn it around this week but hopefully next week they do."

At least there were some positive signs for Voss against Essendon.

He said the Lions' defence led by Jed Adcock was "enormous", ensuring Essendon only won by six goals despite dominating inside forward 50s by 75-36.

"We are giving windows to teams to beat us - we have to keep working until we eradicate those things from our game," Voss said of the Lions who somehow led at halftime.

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