JAMES Aish's absence from the Brisbane Lions squad is form-related and not linked to his contract status, Lions chief executive Greg Swann says.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been omitted twice from the Lions squad, in rounds two and five, after struggling to recapture the highs of his debut season, in which he finished fourth in the NAB Rising Star Award.

Swann said Aish's lack of form was the reason for him being dropped and playing in the NEAFL.

"It's a form-related issue," Swann told Channel Nine on Sunday.

Lions to fight for Aish: Matthews

"(In) his last game against (West Coast) he had six possessions as a midfielder – that's not a lot of footy.

"People are trying to infer that we've dropped him because he hasn't signed his contract."

Aish, whose deal expires at season's end, reportedly met with Carlton chief executive Steven Trigg, football manager Andrew McKay and list manager Stephen Silvagni in Brisbane earlier this week.

However on Saturday, Aish's manager Liam Pickering denied any meetings took place between the Blues and his client.

"I'm telling you it (the meeting) didn't happen and Carlton have said the same thing," Pickering told SEN radio.

Swann could not confirm whether Aish had met with the Blues, but was taking the club and Pickering at their word.

"We don't know (if Aish met with Carlton). We asked Liam and he said, 'No', James himself said 'No' (and) every other journalist in Australia tells (us), 'Yes', so we just take it on face value that they didn't," Swann said.

"We're accepting what they've said."

Swann said he would meet with Aish and Pickering on Monday to seek further clarification on whether any meetings took place.

"That's probably the issue, just to clarify if (and) what happened," he said.

"At this stage, we have no reason to believe that they're not telling us the truth but everyone else is trying to tell a different story."

Aish has played 24 games since being selected with pick No.7 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.