Richmond star Brett Deledio left the field injured in the AFL club’s interclub practice match at Whitten Oval on Friday.

Deledio limped off in the first of the three periods the club played and did not return.

Assistant coach Ross Smith said Deledio had experienced back tightness and had been taken off the field to prevent it turning into something more serious.

“He jogged off, so hopefully it’s something minor,” Smith said.

“It’s hard to know until we scan it but, at the moment, he’s just tightened up and we don’t think it’s anything major at this stage.”

Smith said Deledio had had a trouble-free pre-season until the incident and it was the only injury concern to come out of the practice match.

The players were divided into two sides, with one featuring all of their star players, which looked as though it was close to the Tigers first-choice side.

That team included ex-Adelaide ruckman Ivan Maric as well as new recruits Steven Morris and Brandon Ellis.

Morris and Ellis both impressed in defence.

Smith said the pair were in contention for senior selection, possibly as early as the home-and-away season.

He said the addition of the new defenders should free up Deledio to spend more time in the midfield this year.