HAWTHORN wingman Isaac Smith is expected to return from injury for Sunday’s clash against Brisbane at Aurora Stadium on Sunday.

Smith missed last Friday night’s win over West Coast with a corked calf, but is likely to return to bolster the Hawks who sit one game clear on top of the AFL ladder after 14 rounds.

Head of Coaching and Development, Chris Fagan admitted the Club took a cautious approach to Smith’s injury given the Hawks were scheduled to play on the hard Etihad Stadium surface.

“All indications early this week are that he’ll be fine to play,” he said.

“We were a bit precautionary with him on Friday night with the hard Etihad surface and decided to rule him out.”

Josh Gibson is also expected to be fit despite limping from the field on Friday night.

The defender rolled his ankle in a marking contest and spent some time with the Hawthorn doctors before returning to the field to be one of the Hawks’ best in the win.

“He was sore after the game but he has made really good progress in the early part of this week,” Fagan said.

“He’s got no serious damage to his ankle - if he trains well he should be available to play.”

Grant Birchall will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, while Paul Puopolo is a chance to return after being a late withdrawal last Friday night.