Ross Lyon has revealed that star defender Luke McPharlin is likely to miss next Sunday’s Carlton Mid Derby.

The All Australian hurt his calf and sat out the final term of the 30-point win over St Kilda.

“It’s not dramatic but we don’t think he’ll play in the Carlton Mid Derby, I’ll put that on the table, so hopefully, (he’ll be back) the week after,” Lyon said.

“It could be one, two, three or maybe none.

“But in all likelihood, a couple of weeks.”

Fremantle plays top eight side Richmond at the MCG the week after the Carlton Mid Derby.

The club has lost its past two games without the backline stalwart - to Adelaide in 2012’s semi-final and against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in round 4 this season.

Freo also lost to Essendon in round 3 this year in a game McPharlin was knocked out of in the opening minutes.

But Lyonsaid the team had full confidence in whoever replaced the 31-year-old if hecouldn’t get up for the match against West Coast.

“Tanner Smith hurt his shoulder (in the WAFL), so it narrows it down to Peter Faulks and Alex Silvagni,” he said.

“Alex Silvagni is the most likely because he has done it a bit more recently and stood up in finals for us.”

In McPharlin’s absence, Silvagni held Geelong forward James Podsiadly goalless in Fremantle’s elimination final win in 2012.