Highly-touted youngster Izak Rankine won’t play for Gold Coast in Saturday’s AFL first-round clash against Port Adelaide.

Suns coach Stuart Dew confirmed on Thursday a minor hamstring injury will sideline the 19-year-old for at least this weekend.

It’s the latest setback for Rankine, who is yet to make his senior debut for the Suns since being pick No.3 at the 2018 draft.

“How bad that is we’re not sure what we do know is he’s already back running,” Dew said.

“We’re excited by what Izak can bring but we’ve still got a little way to go.”

While Dew is confident Rankine’s latest injury is only minor, he doesn’t want to risk the forward after his disrupted 2019 season.

Rankine played just two pre-season and three reserve games last year after hip and hamstring complaints derailed his campaign.

Dew did confirm star forward Alex Sexton won’t be risked for the Power visit but recruits Brandon Ellis and Hugh Greenwood will both make their first appearances for their new club.

There is also the likelihood top draft picks Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell could be round one debutants.

“There’s some young players that are certainly in the mix,” Dew said.

“We want to make sure that we get that mix right and that’s why we can confirm the two older lads.

“We’re pretty sure there’ll be some debutants, we just have to make sure we get the all clear from training.”