Critics might suggest the year could not end soon enough for Michael Voss.

But the besieged Brisbane coach reckons he still has much to gain from the 2011 AFL season.

However, Voss insisted it was not a "fait accompli" that a contract extension would be on his list in the immediate future despite reports on Tuesday that he had been locked in for another two years.

Last round's five-point loss to lowly Adelaide at the Gabba sparked fresh criticism of Voss - hardly what he needed ahead of Saturday night's derby with Gold Coast.

And the news didn't get any better for the third-last Lions on Tuesday - Voss confirmed that key defender Joel Patfull (broken hand) would miss the rest of the season.

From the outside looking in, it has been a year from hell for Voss - but the Lions mentor believed there was plenty to be gained.

Asked if he was tempted to start worrying about next season after reports he had been offered a two-year deal, Voss said: "No, because there are still things we need to get done.

"We still have an opportunity to learn more about ourselves, to test players out in positions, try a couple of different things to prepare for the future.

"Every game has relevance.

"At the end of the season, there is still a lot to accomplish."

But Voss would not be drawn on his coaching future, despite reports that an announcement was "imminent".

"We have been talking for a while but that will get sorted out eventually - for us, it is about this game," Voss said.

"I wouldn't say it is a fait accompli.

"We have to work through a few things but, because it is not going to be completed this week, it is not my focus."

Voss said Patfull had been booked in for surgery on Wednesday after becoming the sixth player at the luckless Lions to have suffered a season-ending injury.

However, Voss said superboot Josh Drummond was all but confirmed to make his comeback from a knee injury after shining in the reserves while young gun Daniel Rich (foot) was also a chance.

For the Suns, the jury is out on whether Gary Ablett (hamstring) or Karmichael Hunt (illness) will play.

The Queensland derby might not shape up as a blockbuster, with the Lions placed 15th and the Suns second-last - both with a 3-15 record.

But Voss said ladder position would be forgotten this weekend as the Lions looked to avenge their eight-point loss in May.

The lead-up to their derby opener was spiced by verbal barbs, with Brisbane veteran Simon Black branding ex-teammates and Suns recruits Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan "mercenaries".

McKenna didn't miss by claiming his club was cleaning up the "mess" left behind by Voss' former Brisbane Bears side.

But neither would bite on Tuesday.

"I am not paying anyone to go out and do anything - it will be purely above board," Voss said.

"What you want is a hard, physical contest."

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