First year Swan Tony Armstrong will line up for the reserves in tomorrow morning’s practice match against GWS, in what will be his first taste of football as a Swans player.

The former Adelaide Crow, who arrived at the Swans in last year’s Trade Week, underwent an iliotibal band (ITB) release as well as battling a quad injury, which sidelined him from pre-season matches and training.

The 22-year-old started running late February, and on Wednesday completed a full training session with the senior squad.

John Longmire said he was pleased Armstrong was now ready to get back on the football field.

“Tony will play his first game in our reserves this week, and he’ll get a run so we’ll see how he goes,” he said

“His training form has been fantastic.

“We haven’t seen a lot of him over the pre-season with him being injured, but it’s an opportunity for him this week to train and to also play in the reserves and get a bit of form, which is good.”

Longmire said Armstrong’s kicking skills and athleticism were valuable assets to the Swans squad.

“He will add some real run and ball use from half back, and that’s what he’s able to bring to the team and that’s what we recruited him for,” he said.

“He’s really loud and confident on the training track and he loves to join in and get the ball and he is a good kick.

“If you look at the way footy is played these with presses in the forward line, (Armstrong’s ability) to be able to then kick to a target is valuable.”

Armstrong said he can't wait to represent the club he supported as a child for the first time.

"I'm pretty keen to get out there and have a run," he said.

"It's been a pretty tough pre-season so it's good to put that behind me and have a kick of the footy.

"All the guys will be out there pushing to try to play seniors. Hopefully everyone has a red-hot crack, because I certainly will be."

The Swans reserves will take on GWS in a practice match at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday morning from 10am.