HAWTHORN defender Brent Guerra will face another fitness test this week before being cleared to take on Greater Western Sydney in Tasmania on Saturday afternoon.
The veteran was a late withdrawal for Saturday night’s win over Sydney, with the Club choosing to take a cautious approach so early in the season.
Guerra had a fitness test on the knee he injured in the final term against Adelaide in Round 6 on Saturday morning.
The Club, however, expect him to pass the fitness test and be available for selection against the Giants.
“He wasn’t quite right to play, we fitness tested him on Saturday morning and figured it wasn’t worth the risk,” Head of Coaching and Development Chris Fagan said.
“All things being well this week, he should pass a fitness test later in the week and I think he’ll be available to play on Saturday.”
Cyril Rioli is progressing well from his hamstring injury, taking to the training track on Tuesday.
Rioli injured his hamstring in the final term of the narrow win over North Melbourne, after being one of the side’s best in the Round 5 game.
“He was jogging on the track today (Tuesday),” Fagan said.
“He has no soreness, so his rehab is on track and we’ll gradually build him up and when he’s right to play, he’s right to play.”
The news is also good for Xavier Ellis who is nearing a return.
The midfielder hasn’t played a senior game since the 2012 Grand Final after sustaining a calf injury during pre-season.
Ellis is expected to make his return at Box Hill in two weeks.
“The plan with him is to do full skills this week and again next week, then play that following weekend,” Fagan said.
“So two weeks of training and then a game at Box Hill.”
Meanwhile, Jed Anderson could return to the senior side this weekend after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury.
The impressive youngster hasn't played since Round 3, where he won a Rising Star nomination for his eye-catching performance against the Magpies.
He didn’t play any football last weekend, with Box Hill having a scheduled bye due to the VFL’s state game.
He’s in the selection mix.
