CYRIL Rioli is edging closer to a return, with the gun forward a chance to play in next Saturday’s Preliminary Final.

Rioli hasn’t played since Round 15, when he injured his hamstring for a second time this year against the Suns in Tasmania.

His training load will be increased this week as the Hawthorn fitness staff test out his hamstring in a bid to be fit for the do or die clash.

“He’s definitely on the up,” GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au

“We’re planning on stepping it (his training) up and giving him a good test.

“Hopefully he’ll be right to go Preliminary Final day.”

Defender Matt Suckling, meanwhile is a chance to return this weekend in a VFL exhibition match as the Hawks edge closer to a full complement of senior players to choose from.

A knee injury has kept the gun left footer out for the last two weeks.

“He’s making steady progress, he’s better again compared to this time last week,” Fagan said.

“He’ll be tested at the end of the week and if he’s right to go, he’ll play in the VFL Young Guns game.”

Teammate Ryan Schoenmakers will also play in the exhibition game, while the Hawks hope to get more game time into ruckman Ben McEvoy in Box Hill’s Preliminary Final on Sunday thanks to permission granted by AFL Victoria.

In more good news for the Hawks, there were no new injury concerns to come out of Friday night’s win over Geelong.

While they’ve earned the weekend off there won’t be much rest for the players, with Fagan revealing they’ll be put through some tough training sessions this week.

“We’ve come out of the game really, really well,” he said.

“We won’t be backing off at all though; it’ll be a hard week of training.

“We want to make sure we get the most out of it from a fitness perspective and keep everybody’s mind on the job.

“You can’t afford to relax too much at this time of the year, we need to be up and going for next week.”