LUKE Hodge could be set to return to the Hawthorn side for this week's clash with Melbourne.

Hodge missed the entire pre-season with an achilles injury and played a practice match for VFL team Box Hill last week.

Teammate Shaun Burgoyne said the new Hawthorn skipper was a strong chance to come into the team.

"All reports are that he played pretty well. He got through pretty well and Maxy Bailey played pretty well as well," Burgoyne said on Monday afternoon.

"They got a bit of game time into them and they're both up for selection this week. Hopefully they train this week and we'll see how they go. They'll come under consideration."

Bailey has played just six senior games since debuting for the Hawks against Fremantle in round 18, 2006, having undergone three knee reconstructions.

He has not appeared in Hawthorn colours since the latest reconstruction at the end of 2009 Essendon but Burgoyne said he was showing all the signs that he was ready to return.

"I'm not quite sure. He had another game and they're looking to increase his game time and his output. He'll come into consideration too, I would think. I don't think we got any injuries this week," Burgoyne said.

One Hawk who will definitely play against the Demons is Cameron Bruce, who will face his old side in just his second match for the Hawks.

Burgoyne, who faced a similar situation last year when he lined up against his former side Port Adelaide, said Bruce would be over any possible nerves after already playing against Melbourne in the NAB Challenge.

"We had a few words when we played against them down in Launceston, both him and Kyle Cheney," he said.

"They had their nerves out of the way a couple of weeks ago, so he'll be set to play a pretty good game this week."