The Sydney Swans look set to be boosted by the return of key pair Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley for Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne.
Heeney (concussion) and Papley (hip flexor) will re-join the main group at training on Wednesday as they ramp up their fitness for a return to the senior side.
Head Physiotherapist Matt Cameron said he expected both players to be available for selection later this week.
“Isaac has now recovered from his concussion and has no symptoms at all. He still needs to train in the back half of this week and if nothing is provoked then he will be right to go,” Cameron told the HCF Injury Update.
“Tom had a hip flexor muscle strain from around the bye and he is back running now. He is training with the boys tomorrow and if he gets through those sessions we will make a decision on him playing.”
Speedster Gary Rohan (hamstring tightness) will also take part in Wednesday’s training session and is expected to be fit to take on North Melbourne.
Kieren Jack remains a chance to play after scans revealed a grade one strain to his medial ligament.
Meanwhile Lewis Melican (hamstring) and Sam Reid (Achillies tightness) have undergone surgery as they look to get back on the field before the end of the season.
“Lewis Melican re-injured his hamstring at training last week and really needed surgery for that to progress,” Cameron said.
“Sam Reid’s Achilles flared up right at the start of the game which is really unfortunate. He had a similar problem two years ago and in that case we tried to manage it without surgery before having to ultimately remove a small part of the tendon right next to his Achilles.
“With Sam we have decided to take that route now and hopefully that allows a much quicker return.”
Dan Hannebery is expected to miss the next three weeks as he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered against Geelong on Thursday.
“Often with small calf strains you can play on, however this one is a reasonable injury and given it is the same side as the strain he had in January we are going to give it a few more weeks to get nice and strong. That will allow us to get a bit more fitness into him and that should help us in the back half of the year.”
Jarrad McVeigh underwent surgery last Friday to repair his broken collarbone – he’s expected to make a return to football within six weeks.