Port Adelaide have suffered a hammer blow ahead of Sunday’s huge AFL clash with GWS, key forward Charlie Dixon ruled out with an ankle injury.

Dixon injured his left ankle in the final quarter of Port’s 28-point AFL win over North Melbourne on Saturday, and had been racing the clock to be fit.

However scans earlier this week showed an injury to the upper ankle, which could be damaged further if he returned to the field immediately.

“Because of the nature of the injury it’s difficult to say exactly when he’ll be back but we’ll rehabilitate him as quickly as possible without risking any further damage,” high performance manager Darren Burgess said.

“This is a new injury, a trauma injury, and fortunately has nothing to do with the ankle problems Charlie’s had in the past.”

Dixon has kicked 30 goals and claimed 64 marks in 16 matches so far this season, as Port sit two wins behind the struggling Kangaroos in ninth position on the table.