VETERAN Gold Coast midfielder Michael Barlow still has no definitive timeframe for his return after complications to a broken jaw suffered in the NEAFL earlier this month.

Barlow has successful surgery but has since suffered from Bell's palsy, a condition which paralyses the muscles on one side of the face.

He is still able to run but do no contact work with his teammates.

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Barlow broke his jaw early in the Suns' NEAFL match against Southport but played the game out. 

Despite scans later that week showing the fracture, the 30-year-old thought he'd be available as soon as the following week.

However, three weeks later, the Suns are no closer to putting a definite timeframe on his return, although they are confident it's not far away. 

It continues a rough 12 months for Barlow, who broke his leg against Carlton in round 13 last year and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.

He has played just once under new coach Stuart Dew – in round six against Adelaide – before being dropped to the NEAFL.