HAWTHORN star Grant Birchall will resume running training this week as he continues his rehab from a knee injury.

Birchall injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the opening quarter of Hawthorn’s win over West Coast in Round 13 and played out the game before scans the following day revealed the injury.

The running defender has already missed two matches through the injury, but is on the mend having had the knee brace removed for his leg and ready to begin running duties at training this week.

Head of Coaching and Development, Chris Fagan says the Club is happy with the progress Birchall is making and expect him back in the next three to four weeks.

“’Birch’ is making good, steady progress at this point,” Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au

“He’s just starting to move around again – he’ll start running in the next two or three days. He is out of the knee brace, I noticed him in the gym this morning doing some weights on his legs.”

Fresh off re-signing with the Club, Cyril Rioli has recovered well from his first game in nine weeks and could play a full game for the Hawks against the Power on Saturday afternoon.

Fagan said the Hawks livewire forward played the required game time of the fitness and coaching staff and are looking forward to seeing him in action at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

“Cyril pulled up really well,” Fagan said.

“He got exactly the amount of game time that we were after and he’ll step it up this week against Port Adelaide.”

Liam Shiels remains 2-3 weeks away from resuming from an ankle injury sustained against the Lions in Round 15, while youngster Jed Anderson will train fully with the team this week and return through the VFL the following week.