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Port Adelaide say injury-troubled forward Orazio Fantasia, who is yet to play an AFL game this year, won't return until July as he recovers from a thigh strain.

Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia has resumed running in his recovery from a thigh injury but his AFL club says he won't play until July.

Fantasia hasn't played an AFL game this year after pre-season knee surgery.

The 26-year-old returned in state league ranks late last month but suffered a thigh strain in his comeback match.

The Power were initially uncertain of a timeline for Fantasia's return but now say he's resumed running but won't play for another three weeks.

Port's first-choice ruckman Scott Lycett is at least five weeks away from returning from shoulder surgery which sidelined him after being hurt in round four.

But the 12th-placed Power, who play Richmond on Thursday night at the MCG, expect key defender Trent McKenzie to press for state league selection this weekend.

McKenzie hasn't played since round three when he copped a knock on his left knee.

The veteran subsequently had an arthroscopic operation to clean-out his injured knee.