GIANTS star Josh Kelly is in line to play his 150th game against Essendon on Sunday after suffering an ankle injury in Sydney Derby XXI. 

Kelly was subbed out in the third quarter after rolling the same ankle he injured in round 14 this year.

“Josh wasn’t able to play out the game on Sunday but he actually pulled up pretty well on Monday morning,” GIANTS Head of Medical Cullan Ball said.

“Scans have cleared him of any major damage. He’ll undergo a fitness test later in the week but at this point we’d expect him to be fit to play this Sunday.”

Ruckman Matt Flynn was also injured in the same game, dislocating his shoulder in the third quarter.

The 23-year-old was strapped and he returned to the field before it dislocated again and he wasn’t able to play out the game.

Flynn is likely to require a shoulder reconstruction and will return to Sydney to consult with a surgeon.

“It’s obviously disappointing for Flynny,” Ball said.

“His shoulder went back in the first time but after it happened again we expected it probably wouldn’t be one we could manage for the rest of the season.

“He’ll head back to Sydney to see the surgeon and at this stage, we expect him to undergo a shoulder reconstruction later this week.”

Star midfielder Lachie Whitfield is undergoing the final stages of the concussion protocols after missing round 18, but is likely to be fit to take on the Bombers.

“Lachie’s progressing really well,” Ball said.

“He hasn’t had any setbacks and if he continues in this manner he’ll be cleared to take on the Bombers.”

Meanwhile, draftee Will Shaw underwent a shoulder reconstruction in Melbourne last week and will return home to southern NSW before beginning his rehab in Sydney.

Tom Hutchesson and Jack Buckley also returned to Sydney when the team relocated to Queensland after both suffered injuries while the team was based in Melbourne. They’ll continue their rehab with GIANTS staff in Sydney.

Ruck Braydon Preuss will also look to join the team in Queensland via a potential transition hub as he ramps up his rehabilitation from a torn pec.

Injury List - July 20