Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell will make his long-awaited return to football this weekend after battling hamstring concerns since early March.

The premiership player first injured his hamstring in the Club’s NAB 3 match against Melbourne at Casey Fields and then experienced sciatic nerve problems following a Box Hill Hawks game a month later.

After successfully completing a solid training block over the past few weeks, Sewell will line up for Box Hill in their match against Richmond at the ME Bank Centre on Saturday.

Hawthorn GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said Sewell was looking forward to the opportunity to play again.

“He’s been out for quite some time and I think he feels like he can really make a strong contribution to the team in the latter half of the year,” Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au

Cyril Rioli has shown positive signs in the early stages of his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury sustained during Friday night’s loss to Sydney.

“He turned up Sunday morning with fairly pain-free walking so that’s a good sign,” Fagan said.

“The scan also revealed it’s a standard hamstring strain so we expect Cyril to be available somewhere around the four week mark.”

Hawks defender Josh Gibson will be ready to take on Port Adelaide in Round 10 despite showing signs of discomfort after receiving a “stinger” in his left shoulder during the Swans clash.

He’ll be joined by Captain Luke Hodge, who has overcome hamstring soreness to be available for next Saturday’s clash.