Gold Coast's major drawcards Gary Ablett, Karmichael Hunt and Jared Brennan are unlikely to resurface until the club's historic opening AFL match against Carlton at the Gabba next month.

Suns coach Guy McKenna has ruled Hunt out of playing against Sydney on Saturday at Southport because of "general soreness" and has all but given up hope on Ablett or Brennan gaining any match practice in March.

Ablett and Brennan have yet to play a pre-season match of any type.

The former Geelong champion is lacking aerobic fitness after being hampered by a groin injury while Brennan is well behind on his preparation because of an ankle ailment.

McKenna said he held no concerns about Ablett not playing a match leading into the Suns' AFL debut in the second round of the AFL season on April 2.

" You'd like to think so (he'd play a practice match), but where his body is at, at the moment it's about getting miles into his legs," McKenna said.

"He's on a program to get some miles into his legs. If he ticks that over and he feels comfortable and we get a game in, great.

"... you're talking about one of the better players in the modern era, touch will not be an issue with Gary.

"It's about getting enough miles in his legs so he can get through a season."

As for Brennan, McKenna was just as optimistic about the former Lion starting the year on time.

"The next two weeks will be fairly intensive for him to see where his body is at," McKenna said.

"He gets through that me might sneak a game in, but someone like him tends to go for balls one handed anyway, so he's quite good touch player so no concerns for him."

Hunt missed Wednesday's training session and is likely to be placed in cotton wool until the Blues' clash.

However seasoned trio ruckman Josh Fraser, defender Nathan Bock and midfielder Daniel Harris are expected to play against the Swans.

"He's (Hunt) had a big pre-season of course, he's just pulled up a bit sore," McKenna said.

"If it was in the season, he probably could play, but we'd make that in doubt rule him out.

"He's a chance to play round two and we don't want to force the envelope, if you know what I mean, force the issue and break him down.

"We want to give him a chance to play round two."

Following the Swans game, the Suns will play one more sanctioned AFL pre-season match and McKenna would be grateful if it was against the Brisbane Lions at Southport.

He said igniting a home derby in a practice match would not detract from their first official confrontation at the Gabba on May 7.

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