Three Swans could be in line to return to face Richmond on Thursday night, including  veteran Jarrad McVeigh.

McVeigh missed Sydney’s Round 14 win over West Coast at the SCG as he was managed through a minor calf strain.

Sam Reid (quad) and Lewis Melican (hamstring) are also nearing a return to football after overcoming their respective long-term injury troubles.

Head of Football Tom Harley said he expected McVeigh to line up for the top-of-the-table clash with the Tigers.

“Jarrad had a really minor calf issue and we chose the path to manage him through that game (against West Coast) by not playing,” Harley said.

“It gave him a chance to rest a few other niggles, not that he had too many to be perfectly frank.

“He could have played if we needed him to, but he has benefited by not playing that game and then having the bye.

“He will be absolutely right to go against the Tigers on Thursday night.”

Reid and Melican are both on track to return soon, but it remains unclear if it will be this week.

Both players suffered injuries in Round 3 and have been working back to full training.

Harley said the pair will be pushing their case for senior selection.

“Thursday for an AFL recall might come too fast, as there are load issues and those sorts of things to worry about,” Harley said.

“Certainly I would be expecting them to be available, they haven’t had any setbacks and it is really positive, so we are looking forward to having those players back really soon.” 

In a further positive, rookie forward James Bell is expected to return to the NEAFL side this weekend after an extended lay off with a hamstring injury.