SYDNEY Swans assistant coach John Blakey says the club will not rush back its injured stars in a bid to hold on to their top four ladder position.

The Sydneysiders are hanging onto fourth spot just ahead of North Melbourne on percentage and head into this weekend's clash against Geelong with defender Leo Barry still under an injury cloud and forwards Henry Playfair and Michael O'Loughlin still ruled out.

Nick Malceski came through a match with the reserves last weekend unscathed but is no certainty to play until he gets though Thursday's main training session.

"We wouldn't jeopardise any of our players," Blakey said.

"Their health is a priority over selection… if we're not giving them the best chance to perform, we're not doing the side any favours and we're not doing the player himself any favours. So where we are on the ladder is of little consequence as far as if we play them or not play them."

While initially showing rapid improvement with his ankle injury, O'Loughlin's progress seems to have slowed, but Blakey was hopeful he would be available for the Swans' final campaign if not before.

"With these ankle injuries you're never too sure how quickly it's going to improve.

"He had some significant improvement last week. It's just sort of stalled a little bit but hopefully it will kick on again. We'll be trying to get him back before finals but he's certainly a chance come finals time."

Meanwhile former Cat Henry Playfair, who is out with a hamstring injury, is still a few weeks away from being available for selection.

"Henry hasn't been able to get back to kicking the ball yet. He's still feeling a little bit of soreness in his hamstring so he's still a couple of weeks away."

Like Malceski, Leo Barry's participation this weekend depends on him getting through the main training session.

"We'll name him and like Nick Malceski, we'll give him every chance to come up. Hopefully he can get out there and train tomorrow night and if he gets through that he'll play at the weekend."