Sydney Swans ruckman Kurt Tippett is expected to be available for Saturday's clash with GWS on Saturday after finally overcoming his troublesome ankle injury.
The ruckman, who's missed the past five weeks with the issue, rejoined full training on Tuesday to strengthen his chances of playing in Sydney Derby XIII.
Head of Football Tom Harley said in HCF Injury Update the 30-year-old's wretched run with injury this season looks to be behind him as the 174-gamer enters the senior fold again.
"Kurt has had a really unfortunate run with a run of injuries this year but we are expecting him to be available for selection this week,” Harley confirmed.
“He has been through a strength phase and a running phase so he ramped up his training starting (Tuesday).
“He will have a final training session on Thursday but we can expect him to be available.”
Another player in the selectors' sights is exciting forward Will Hayward.
Hayward has missed the past fortnight with a niggling foot injury, a sore spot which the Club took a conservative approach with given the first-year's exceptional output this season.
Harley said the 18-year-old will play this weekend, in what capacity remains unknown at this stage. That decision, whether he'll return via the NEAFL or AFL, won't be made until Thursday's Match Committee.
“It is too early to say with Will as to which side he fronts up with on Saturday,” Harley added.
“Will has had a really exciting first half of the year but has been out the last two weeks with a foot complaint.
“We are expecting him to be available and will train strongly this week. He trained last week but we took a conservative approach with him.
“He will be playing on Saturday.”
In other injury news, Josh Kennedy remains a strong chance to return for Sydney Derby XIII but will still have to undergo a fitness test on Thursday to see how his quad goes.
And a "pain-free" Harry Cunningham has entered the final stages of rehab on his LisFranc injury, suffered in Round 9, with an aim to return to footy in the next week or so.
