PORT Adelaide skipper Dom Cassisi believes Shaun Burgoyne will be a walk-up starter in Showdown XXVII at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, provided the star onballer gets through training this week.

Burgoyne, 26, has not played since suffering severe bone bruising to his knee in the round three win over Melbourne.

The All-Australian has endured a frustrating rehabilitation involving surgery and multiple setbacks, but has ramped up his workload over the past two weeks.

Cassisi said he expected Burgoyne to receive an immediate AFL call-up despite having spent more than three months on the sidelines.

“Shaun’s a class player, so if he gets through all the training this week you’d think he’d come back into the team,” Cassisi said on Monday.

“Shaun’s a vice-captain of our club, so he’d know that he has to come in and give everything he’s got.

“We’d have to manage his game-time to look after him a little bit if he does play, but match committee is not until Thursday so I can’t say whether he’ll play or not.”

Defender Troy Chaplin is an automatic selection having served a two-match-ban for rough conduct.

Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) and Matt Thomas (knee) were also in the Power’s best 22 before getting injured and will come under strong consideration.

Veteran Josh Carr was dropped for Sunday’s clash with West Coast, but performed strongly in the SANFL on the weekend and could earn a recall based on his outstanding history in Showdowns.

Peter Burgoyne was good, without being outstanding, for the Port Adelaide Magpies and will also be in the mix.

Cassisi said good performances from young players like Matthew Broadbent, Paul Stewart and Nick Salter against the Eagles meant everyone at Alberton was on edge.

“The guys that played on the weekend and the young guys in particular, did a really good job,” he said.

“If it’s unfortunate and a few of those guys do miss out this week then the guys coming in have got to make sure they come in with the same effort and intensity the young guys brought on the weekend.”

Round 16 predictably turned out to be an up week for the inconsistent Power, who have not won consecutive games since April.

Cassisi said the emotion of the Showdown would help his side safeguard against a possible letdown this weekend.

“The Showdowns are games you just get up for. It’s one of the biggest games in the state and we know what’s on the line,” Cassisi said.

“People have every reason to believe that we won’t get up to play this week, but that’s not going to be the case.

“Our effort and intensity on the weekend was what it needs to be and we look forward to improving that this week in the Showdown.”

As of Monday less than 2000 tickets remained for the Showdown.