The Gold Coast SUNS will head into Round 1 of the 2021 NAB AFLW season with 28 players available for selection.

Defender Ellie Hampson has been ruled out of the opening match against Melbourne at Metricon Stadium with a foot injury.

“Ellie’s had a three-week history of some plantar foot pain which we’re going to manage conservatively,” AFLW Head Physiotherapist Aaron Duffy said.

After missing the entire 2020 season with an ACL injury, Emma Pittman is tracking well in her rehab and has returned to the training field.

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The 28-year-old is expected to resume full contact training in the coming weeks.

“We’re happy with her progress and she’s ticking a lot of the boxes that we need her to tick,” Duffy said.

“She’s training with the group and she’ll progress over the coming weeks but at this stage she’ll be unavailable.”

Jacqui Yorston was announced to have injured her ACL earlier in the pre-season, and Duffy said the midfielder would undergo surgery shortly

“Unfortunately Jacqui injured her ACL in training a couple of weeks ago,” Duffy said.

“She was reviewed by the specialist last week and has been scheduled for surgery in the coming weeks and then we’ll get straight into her rehab after that.”

Click here for the full injury list.