Port Adelaide's star on-baller Jason Horne-Francis is in a race against time to be fit for the club's Round 1 clash against his former team North Melbourne.

The Power are expected to take a cautious approach with the 22-year-old as he works through the final stages of his recovery following an injury-interrupted pre-season.

After undergoing foot surgery in November to remove a plate that had caused lingering discomfort, the Wardaman man has been managed carefully across the summer as Port balances short-term availability with long-term durability.

His build-up was dealt another minor setback last week after a knock to his shoulder ruled him out of the club's intra-club hit-out, though the Power remain hopeful he will return to competitive training shortly.

Speaking to AFL.com.au, Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr said the club would wait until Horne-Francis proves he can handle the required workload before committing him to Round 1.

"There's still a fair bit to play out before round one," Carr admitted.

"He'll play next week against Adelaide and hopefully play three quarters of that game.

"It'll be a bit more forward early (in the season), I would have thought, and then easing him into it.

"I'm not going to throw him to the wolves and if he's not ready we're not going to throw him out there - we're going to make sure we look after him, it's about the long game, it's about the whole year."

While Port weigh up his availability, Horne-Francis has made no secret of his determination to be available for the opening round.

After re-joining the main training group last week for the first time since his November procedure, Horne-Francis showed glimpses of his trademark explosiveness in match simulation.

Speaking on Triple M, he reflected on the challenges of his rehabilitation but remained optimistic he would be ready to take on the Kangaroos.

"I'm very happy I'm back out there," he said.

"It's been a long time coming now and there's been a few hiccups - I've put in a good load of work in the past couple of months.

"I know it'll take a couple more weeks and a bit of match sim to get that fitness right up but I'm confident I'll be ready for a few of the trial matches ... Round 1, definitely."

The Power will be keen not to rush their midfield bull after he managed just 15 appearances last season before his foot injury brought his year to an early end.

Horne-Francis is one of just four Port Adelaide players currently sidelined by injury, which includes Indigenous pair Sam Powell-Pepper (knee) - who is not expected to return until late in the season - and Tom Cochrane (hamstring), who faces two months on the sidelines.

Ruckman Ivan Soldo has been ruled out for the entire 2026 campaign after suffering an ACL injury.