Sydney Swans defender Rhyce Shaw will face a test this week to prove his fitness ahead of Friday night’s round 19 match against Essendon at the SCG.

Shaw, who has missed four matches with an ankle injury suffered against Richmond in round 14, will join team training on Wednesday morning and be assessed following the session.

Speaking to SwansTV for the HCF Injury Update, club physiotherapist Tim Needham said all signs were positive for Shaw this week.

“Rhyce is going really well with his ankle syndesmosis,” Needham said.

“He’s been training and now all he’s got to do is get through training tomorrow and if he does he should be okay to play.”

Needham confirmed Dan Hannebery, who is also battling an ankle syndesmosis injury, is tracking a week behind Shaw and won’t be fit to return this week.

“He’s been a little slower than Rhyce, but is going quite well now,” Needham said of Hannebery.

“He’s into his fitness running and will be stepping things up tomorrow, where he will do some faster running and some agility work.”

First-year Swan Zak Jones is set to miss another week of football, after experiencing a minor setback in his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Needham said Jones, who has played three senior games since making his AFL debut in round 14, would miss another week with the injury.

“Zak had a little setback with his Achilles, so he won’t play this week,” he said.

“He’s currently going to be running and just building up pace and will hopefully re-join the main skills session next week and will play the following week.”

In positive injury news, third-year Swan Tom Mitchell is in line to return from a knee injury suffered before the bye.

“Tom is a chance to play this week with his knee,” Needham said.

“He’s been improving and he’ll train tomorrow and if he goes well he’s a chance to play in the NEAFL this week.”

In other injury news, ruckman Tom Derickx has made improvements in his recovery from a hamstring tear, but will remain on the sidelines for two-to-three weeks.

“Tom is improving,” Needham said.

“He is fitness running this week and he’s on track with that.

“He’s going to run with higher intensity next week, but still remains a few weeks away from playing.”