TOM McDonald says he’ll miss one week at worst – if he’s unable to pass fit for Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at the MCG.

McDonald said he was hopeful of lining up against the Saints, after suffering a heavy knock to the chest area during last Friday night’s loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. 

“I’m probably 50/50. It’s pretty much a bruised lung and a bit like a corky,” he told Melbourne Media.

“I didn’t break any ribs, which was good – it’s more about being able to have full use of your lungs and not being at risk, if you reinjure them again. So, I feel really good. 

“I’ve got no pain from the incident, and it’s been more of an internal thing, and I’m just making sure that I’m right to play this week or next week or whenever it might be.”

“But I actually feel fine, so it’s a bit of a frustrating injury.”

McDonald said he would be disappointed if he couldn’t play this round.  

“It’s a bit of an odd one. I’ve seen a couple of specialists about it, and what their recommendations are,” he said.

“As a player, it’ll be annoying if I can’t play.

“The worst case scenario is that I’ll miss a week, but I’m hoping it’s not, because we’ve got a nine-day break and that’ll help me. But I’m not quite certain at the moment.”

McDonald said rest had been the priority since suffering the injury.

“I haven’t done too much or anything too heavy,” he said.

“Now, it’s pretty much as normal, without doing any contact stuff later in the week. I’ll do some running and weights as normal, and we’ll make a call on game day when that comes.

“The docs have said that I might have a little bit less fitness because my lung has been bruised, so I might be a little down on cardiovascular endurance for a few days, but hopefully not for the game – if I’m playing. But it should be fine, apart from that.”