Gold Coast AFL coach Guy McKenna says captain Gary Ablett is almost certain to overcome a knee injury and play on Saturday against Richmond.

The Suns' superstar injured his knee during Saturday night's loss to Sydney but McKenna said Ablett will travel to Cairns with the team and train on Friday before a decision is made.

"If I was a betting man, I'd probably think he was a good 80 to 90 per cent chance to play," McKenna told the AFL website.

"He'll definitely be going up. We're not trying to pull the wool over (Richmond coach) Damien Hardwick's or the Tigers' eyes. It's nothing to do with that.

"If he was sore and wasn't playing, he'd be staying down here to get right so he could play the following week.

"He'll do more (training) on Friday to give his knee more time to recover to give him the best chance of playing. If he gets through Friday, he'll play."

McKenna said it will be a huge boost for Ablett's team-mates if the skipper can take his place.

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