The Brisbane Lions are likely to welcome back experienced ruckman Stefan Martin for Saturday night’s clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

Martin was rested by Brisbane from their Round 19 loss to Port Adelaide and would be a major boost for the 17^th-placed Lions, particularly if Adelaide’s first-choice ruckman Sam Jacobs fails to overcome an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old has been one of Brisbane’s best players in recent times. Martin is third of all ruckman for Champion Data ranking points from Round 12 onwards, only behind in-form Melbourne big man Max Gawn and Collingwood's Brodie Grundy.

Despite Martin’s likely return, the Lions are likely to be without a host of key experienced players.

"To have a (Dayne) Beams, (Allen) Christensen, (Tom) Bell out there, guys that have played some footy, to help these kids, would be fantastic,” Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch said.

“I think we’ve got eight (season ending injuries) now, so we haven’t had any luck either along the journey.”

Debutant Archie Smith was a shining light for the Lions in their 94-point loss to the Power.

The 21-year-old ruckman competed hard against Port’s Jackson Trengove, but it remains to be seen if he’ll retain his place given Martin’s imminent return.

“He’s done well hasn’t he? I mean, (Jackson) Trengove’s very athletic and follows up very well and he was a good player for them too,” Leppitsch said.

“He wasn’t thrashed in there and I thought he was competitive and held his own in the ruck-duels and got over the top.”

Unfortunately, Brisbane added another player to its long-term injury list late last week, with promising young defender Sam Skinner rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at training.

Skinner, who was selected by the Lions with pick No. 47 in last year’s draft, was due to make his debut against Port Adelaide on Saturday night but now requires reconstructive surgery which will see him sidelined for 12 months.