HAWTHORN star Sam Mitchell could make his long-awaited return in Friday night’s clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The gun midfielder has missed two months with a hamstring tendon injury but has been training fully with his teammates for the last three weeks.
He trained strongly on Tuesday and will train again on Thursday in a bid to reclaim his place in the senior side, bypassing a return via VFL affiliate Box Hill.
“He’s done well again this week with his training, we just need to see how he goes on Thursday and then it’s up to the selectors whether we decide he’ll be in the team or not,” General Manager – Football Operations, Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au
Mitchell’s inclusion would edge the Hawks closer to regaining a full complement of players following a torrid run with injuries.
Fagan confirmed last year’s best and fairest winner Josh Gibson will return after the split-round bye in two weeks.
Gibson has missed seven weeks after tearing his pectoral muscle in the loss to Sydney in Round 8 but could make his return against the Swans in the next meeting between the two sides at the MCG.
The premiership defender returned to skills training last week.
“He’s going really well, he’s training super hard – his fitness is at a high level,” Fagan said.
“I think he’s been angling to play the following week (Round 17) but we’re pretty certain we’ll bring him back into the team post the bye.”
The Hawks will, however, be without gun forward Cyril Rioli, after it was confirmed on Sunday he will miss two months with a hamstring injury.
Rioli was injured in the final term against Gold Coast on Saturday, with scans later revealing damage to the tendon in his hamstring.
He will miss 8-10 weeks.
Youngster Billy Hartung, meanwhile is still at least two weeks away from returning from an elbow injury, while rookie Zac Webster is also out with a hamstring injury.
