JACK Gunston will make a surprise return for the Hawks in Sunday’s blockbuster against Fremantle.

The Hawks have made two changes for the clash, with Gunston joined by fellow premiership star Brian Lake in the team.

The duo replace the suspended Jarryd Roughead and Billy Hartung (omitted).

Gunston was expected to miss up to three weeks with a knee injury but has missed just one after making a quicker-than-expected recovery.

GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan first revealed the forward’s chances at playing on Tuesday when he said he’d made quick progress from the injury.

Gunston has trained strongly with his teammates this week and is a timely inclusion for the Hawks given the unavailability of Roughead.

The Hawks leading goal kicker will be a big loss for the Hawks but Gunston and fellow forward Luke Breust have already shown this year they are capable of performing without him.

Gunston has booted 44 goals this season.

Lake comes straight back into the senior team after serving a four-match suspension.

It will be just the third time premiership defenders Lake and Josh Gibson have played together this year.

Round 21
Fremantle v Hawthorn
Sunday 17 August
Patersons Stadium, 2.40pm (local time, 4.40pm Melbourne time)

B: Duryea Gibson Spangher
HB: Burgoyne Stratton Birchall
C: Suckling Mitchell Smith
HF: Hodge Schoenmakers Hill
F: Puopolo Hale Breust
Foll: McEvoy Lewis Shiels
Int: Lake Langford Simpkin Gunston

IN: B.Lake, J. Gunston
OUT: J.Roughead (Suspension), B.Hartung (omitted)