Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder has been cleared to play in his AFL club’s season opener despite a facial injury.

The All-Australian suffered a fractured cheekbone in the last pre-season game but coach Ken Hinkley says Ryder could play in a helmet against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

Hinkley says six newcomers will debut for Port – recruits Scott Lycett, Ryan Burton and Willem Drew plus a trio of fresh draftees, Connor Roezee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma.