GOLD Coast fullback Steven May is a chance to face Fremantle next week despite sustaining a groin injury in Saturday night's 52-point loss against the Sydney Swans. 

May was replaced during the third quarter by substitute Clay Cameron, but Suns coach Rodney Eade said it was more a precautionary measure.

Eade also indicated that while May was a chance to play next Saturday, big name off-season recruit Nick Malceski was no certainty, despite completing a second match in the NEAFL. 

Click here to watch Rodney Eade's full press conference

May sustained his groin strain early in the second quarter before playing on. 

"It got a little bit worse during the third and we thought we'd err on the side of caution," Eade said.

"He's a chance for next week but we don't know at this stage.

"If it had been a final we would have kept him going. It just wasn't worth the risk."

The Suns already have a catastrophic injury list that includes Gary Ablett, Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow, Dion Prestia, Harley Bennell, Rory Thompson and Jack Martin.

Eade revealed stand-in skipper Michael Rischitelli played ill and was throwing up prior to the match.

Jarrod Harbrow also played with an injured shoulder, but there was simply no-one left on the list to replace him, Eade said.

The Suns' coach was delighted with his team's effort, and said their injury toll could not be overlooked. 

"You've got your four best midfielders out, plus Rischitelli (sick) and then Harley Bennell who is your best runner (all missing)," he said. 

"If the Swans took out (Josh) Kennedy, (Kieren) Jack, (Dan) Hannebery, (Luke) Parker and (Lewis) Jetta didn't play, I'd like to see their midfield. I think they'd be ok, but we struggle for run in the midfield.

"That's reality, that's not making excuses, but our guys are trying really hard." 

Malceski had 18 disposals against the Swans reserves in the NEAFL, but Eade said it might not be enough to regain his senior place. 

"I just thought he still looked short of a run, to be honest," he said.

"We'd love to get him back in, but just as long as he can run at this level to keep up with it."