HAWTHORN expects veteran defender Brent Guerra to play against the Kangaroos on Saturday at Etihad Stadium despite missing Friday night’s clash against Collingwood.

Guerra was a late withdrawal from the selected side on Friday night with swelling on his knee, but has recovered trained well so far this week.

Head of Coaching and Development, Chris Fagan says the Club was cautious with the 31 year old, opting not to risk him so close to finals.

“He had a little bit of swelling on his knee, it was nothing major,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“He’s trained this week – it was probably more precautionary than anything else, we gave him a bit of a rest.

“He’ll be freshened up and looking forward to the game on Saturday.”

The Hawks are in a good position on the injury front just two weeks out from the finals, with Captain Luke Hodge, Grant Birchall and Lance Franklin all making successful returns from injury on Friday night.

The trio were three of Hawthorn’s best in the win over Collingwood, and have pulled up well from the game.

Fagan said the Club was impressed in particular, with the performance of Birchall who returned from an eight-week layoff with a knee injury.

“It was an amazing performance, he exceeded our expectations,” he said.

“It’s a credit to our fitness guys for the work they did to get him in such good condition to play in the manner that he did.”

Birchall was one of the players who set up the win in the first half for the Hawks, providing great drive off half back with his ability to provide overlap and rebound off the half back line.

He finished the game with 26 disposals, while Franklin booted four goals and Hodge was named best afield by the coaches, polling a maximum 10 votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award for his 28 disposal effort across half back.

“He’s (Hodge) trained today and we’re really happy with the way he came out of the game,” Fagan said.

Liam Shiels could bolster the Hawks against the Kangaroos this Saturday after impressing ion the VFL with 23 disposals and four tackles in his second game back from injury.

The Hawks official injury list now lists only four players, three of whom won’t return this season – Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward all out with knee reconstructions.

Promising youngster Mitch Hallahan, meanwhile will undergo a fitness test later in the week.