SKIPPER Luke Hodge is getting closer to a return, but coach Alastair Clarkson has resisted the temptation to recall him for Friday night’s crunch match with North Melbourne.

While Clarkson admits his side is keen to get its one of their most experienced leaders back into the side, but had to consider the bigger picture, being the remainder of the season.

“We’ve missed him the first part of the year – he’s had very little presence in our side for a fair amount of time and very little influence. He’s a high quality player and the captain of our club so we’re really looking forward to what he can bring in the second half of the year,” he said.

“He was pretty keen to play (this week) but we’ve been holding him back just to make sure that when he does play, he can make the biggest contribution possible - in different circumstances maybe (he was a chance to play), but he’s played very little footy for the first half of the year.”

The temptation for Hodge to return in such a big game is obvious, but Clarkson said the Hawks would stick to their timetable for his return.

“The easy part is to select them when they’re available sometimes, the hard part is to do what’s right for (Hodge) and the club, and we think in this instance it’s best he does this little bit of a preseason and get himself right for the second half of the year,” he said.

Clarkson said it was difficult for the Hawks having lost some of their key players and spiritual leaders for extended periods – but at 9-3, the Hawks have done a pretty good job of performing in their absence.

“Without a doubt we’ve missed the leadership of Hodge throughout the first part of the year and also the leadership and direction of (Jarryd) Roughead – they’re significant outs for us,” he said.

“We’ve been able to cope pretty well with those circumstances.”