The struggling Brisbane Lions have been hit by another blow with nimble forward Todd Banfield suffering a lower leg injury.

Banfield is set to be sidelined for the next six weeks after scans revealed a low-grade stress reaction in his fibula.

The 21-year-old West Australian product has played in all of the Lions’ games in 2012, kicking five goals in their 2-5 start to the season.

The bad news has been mixed with some positive injury reports with vice-captain Jed Adcock expected to return from a groin injury in Sunday’s home clash with Greater Western Sydney.

Defender Pearce Hanley is also a chance of overcome a minor hamstring complaint that led to him being substituted at halftime in the heavy loss to Collingwood.