Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch has conceded lead ruckman Stefan Martin is now unlikely to return for Saturday night’s clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

Martin was rested last round to freshen up after carrying a combination of niggling injuries for several weeks.

The 29-year-old was initially expected to return for the trip to confront the Crows, but Leppitsch revealed on Thursday that Martin remained in doubt.

“He hasn’t trained yet, so he has to have a full session today and get through,” Leppitsch.

“He’s still got a few niggles that he’s managing. It’s a combination of a knee, he had a hip, a bit of ribs, it’s a bit of everything.

“He needed a spell last week…but they still haven’t come through as we’d like.

“At this point I’d say he’s unlikely.”

Young ruckman Archie Smith impressed in his AFL debut in the loss to Port Adelaide last round and won Brisbane’s “players’ player” award for the week.

Leppitsch confirmed Smith would play against the Crows, setting up an intriguing ruck duel between second-gamer Smith and Adelaide debutant Reilly O’Brien.