It will be a race against time for Matt Spangher as he tries to overcome a hamstring injury and put himself in contention for a berth in the Sydney Swans’ team to play GWS in round one of the AFL season.

Spangher has torn his hamstring and is not expected to be ready to play for four to six weeks, which will be right on the eve of the historic March 24 game against the Swans’ cross-town rivals at ANZ Stadium.

The injury is a setback for the 24-year-old, who had been impressive during the pre-season. However he is staying positive and is hopeful he will be ready to go when the season starts.

Spangher was a revelation in the forward line in the second half of the 2011 season, after coming to the Swans as a defender. Injury ruined the first half of the year, but he made his debut in round 16 against the Gold Coast Suns and then played the last five games including two finals.

Coach John Longmire is hoping Spangher can get himself right and provide another tall option in the forward line, alongside the likes of Sam Reid, Adam Goodes and Jesse White.

Several other players will be absent from round one of the Pre-Season Cup at least, including Tony Armstrong, who is overcoming a quad problem, and Dan Hannebery, who is running well after a minor knee operation.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Trent Dennis-Lane have both recovered from hamstring injuries, and while they won’t play in round one of the pre-season, they could be available for later games.

Longmire says young players such as Jed Lamb, Jordan Lockyer, Tommy Walsh and Nathan Gordon may see game time during the pre-season matches. As well, rookie listed players Harry Cunningham, from Wagga Wagga, and Shane Biggs, from Melbourne, are a chance to get a run.

The injury update with club physiotherapist Matt Cameron will be posted weekly on sydneyswans.com.au , starting in the week preceding the Swans’ first Pre-Season Cup match, which is at Etihad Stadium against Geelong and St Kilda on Friday, February 24.