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Eric Hipwood could come straight in for Daniel McStay next week as Brisbane coach Chris Fagan contends with a glut of injuries to his key forwards.

Brisbane will likely welcome Eric Hipwood straight back from his long injury stint next week as coach Chris Fagan contends with another key forward casualty.

Daniel McStay looked in agony after rolling his left ankle in Saturday's 75-point AFL hiding of the undermanned West Coast, with the Lions target having to go to hospital.

An X-ray cleared McStay of a broken ankle but he faces further scans on Monday and the prospect of weeks on the sidelines.

His injury, which Fagan admitted "didn't look great", follows that of forward-line partner Joe Daniher (shoulder), while Hipwood hasn't played all season.

Fagan had already flagged Hipwood's potential return to face Adelaide next week, though, while the versatile Cam Rayner's midfield cameos will likely lessen as he too is pushed forward to fill their injury-hit front line.

"He's playing next week (in either the AFL or an internal practice match)," Fagan said of Hipwood.

"We've got a decision to make there, but he's in great nick."

There's no such concerns in a midfield that now officially includes Hugh McCluggage, the long-time Lions wingman dominant with four goals, 10 tackles, seven inside 50s and four other score assists among 26 sublime touches.

A three-time member of the All-Australian squad, the performance did his quest to earn a maiden jacket no harm.

"It's a pretty special game; he's not a bad player, Hughy McCluggage," Fagan said.

"We tried to move him inside last year but he was going through a bit of a transition, sometimes he was good and sometimes not so good

"But he's always wanted it and embraced it and he's a handful, it's great he's been able to develop that side of his game."