Hawthorn Assistant Coach Sam Mitchell says recruit Jonathon Patton figures as an important part of the club's forwardline mix in 2020.

Although Mitchell stopped short of declaring Patton a "lynchpin" of the make-up, saying his preference was for a multi-dimensional attack.

The number one pick at the 2011 draft is ramping up his bid to earn a spot in the Round 1.

The former GWS forward hasn't played since round 15 of the 2018 season after undergoing a third knee reconstruction, but looms as a potential replacement for retired premiership star Jarryd Roughead.

"He's trained really strongly, his last couple of weeks have been really good, we've started to really see some good things," Mitchell said of Patton.

"He kicked a couple of goals in an intra-club match a couple of days ago.

"He'll certainly spend some time on the field in the (pre-season) series."

Jarman Impey, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in round 18 last year, ran laps on Friday and is slated for a late-season return after he completes a 12-month rehabilitation.