HAWTHORN star Lance Franklin is expected to play against Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG.

The star forward could be among four big inclusions for the Hawks, with Captain Luke Hodge, Grant Birchall and Liam Shiels all pushing their claims for selection this week.

Franklin didn’t play against the Saints last Friday night with hamstring tightness, but completed training over the weekend and is expected to return.

“Our expectation is that he’ll be fit to play,” Head of Coaching and Development, Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday.

Hodge, who fractured his thumb in the loss to Richmond two weeks ago, will train this week with the view of playing on Friday night.

Fagan said the skipper had a positive report from the surgeon who repaired the fracture and will test his thumb during skills sessions in the lead-up to Friday night’s blockbuster.

“He visited the surgeon yesterday and got a positive report so as long as he feels comfortable at training this week; he’ll be in the mix,” Fagan said.

Birchall is another player who could slot straight back into the Hawthorn side despite missing eight weeks with a knee injury.

The running defender hasn’t played since Round 12, when he injured the poster cruciate ligament in his knee.

He stepped up his training last week, completing skills work with his teammates and will train fully with the team this week to push his case for selection.

“Depending on how well he trains, he’ll be in line for selection,” Fagan said.

Midfielder Shiels made a successful return via the VFL on Saturday afternoon, in Box Hill’s 72-point win over Essendon and could return against the Pies on Friday night.

Shiels was heavily tagged by the Bombers, but still managed to gather 15 disposals in an impressive first game back from an ankle injury sustained against the Lions in Round 14.

He could turn the tables on Friday night if selected and perform a defensive role on one of Collingwood’s dangerous midfielders.

“It was good to have ‘Shielsy’ back playing for us,” Fagan said.

“He ran the game out really strongly and we were pleased with what he did and he’s put his hand up for selection this week, we’ve just got to decide if we give him another week at Box Hill or we select him.”

Fagan also cleared Jack Gunston of injury, declaring the forward is fit to play despite being subbed out of the game on Friday night.