The former Port Adelaide forward battled calf tightness through the pre-season, before suffering a setback at training late last month.

The 25-year-old said there was no set time-frame for his return, with the Hawks to back up Saturday's Adelaide Oval clash with a meeting against the Western Bulldogs in round two on Sunday week.

"There's no end-date, it's one of those things where you can't really tell," Wingard said at Kayo's AFL season launch.

"I thought I was ready to play in JLT one and it happened - the same injury, same spot - so I will take it a little bit slower this time.

"Hopefully round two but I've just got to respect it because if I rush it and do it again it could be four or five weeks."

Despite the season-ending injury to Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell, Wingard didn't expect - or want - to spend any extra time in the midfield, where he spent time through his seven seasons at Port.

"Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) recruited me as a forward," he said.

"At Port I was a bit of a mix and it was a bit frustrating at times playing a little bit of both as I couldn't quite find the balance.

"I've been working pretty close with Clarko and from what I've been told that won't change (with Tom out).

"We've got some midfielders in there who can really step up."

The dual All-Australian said his only disappointment in the move to the Hawks was that he missed the opportunity to play alongside game-breaker Cyril Rioli, who retired midway through the 2018 season.

"As soon as the trade went through I messaged him and tried to recruit him back because I'd love to play with him," Wingard said.

Australian Associated Press