Ash McGrath is in a race against time to be fit to face Melbourne this Sunday at the Gabba.

McGrath was subbed out at quarter time of last Sunday’s match against North Melbourne and is no certainty to play after receiving a heavy knock to his shin.

The veteran wasn’t the Lions’ only casualty last weekend, with Pearce Hanley suffering a corked leg which forced him to spend most of the final term on the interchange bench.

Hanley is already a certain 'non-starter' after being found guilty of striking the Roos’ Lindsay Thomas and receiving a one-match suspension.

As it turns out, he still would have had to pass a fitness test to be in line for selection.

Lions Strength and Conditioning Coach Matt Hass said the rest of the squad ‘pulled up really well’.

“Obviously the two boys who were removed with contact injuries – Ash McGrath at the start of the first quarter and then Pearce Hanley early in the fourth – will be monitored really closely and will have a fitness test to make sure they’re available for selection,” Hass told LIONS TV as part of the Bupa Recovery Report.

Ryan Lester will also be tested this week after missing the Reserves’ win over Broadbeach with an adductor injury, while Jared Polec is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing ankle surgery

In more positive injury news, Simon Black, Brent Staker and Jesse O’Brien all made successful returns to the field in the Club’s Round 5 NEAFL clash.

“It was really great to see those three boys back in the twos – all three went really well,” Hass said.

“Blacky played a half a match inside and racked up plenty of touches, and Stakes and Jesse’s work rate was really high.”

View the Lions’ updated Round 5 injury list at the Bupa Health Centre.