Injury update: tests for Hodge and Puopolo
Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge remains doubtful to make his return from a calf injury on Sunday
LUKE Hodge is still rated as doubtful to make his comeback from a calf injury in Hawthorn's clash with Adelaide on Sunday.
The Hawks skipper has missed the first two games of the season, and the club is taking a cautious approach to his return.
Hodge, along with Paul Puopolo (back/hamstring tightness), will face tests later this week to determine his availability.
"If they can both do a full week's worth of training and get up to speed by the end of the week, then they're a chance," Hawthorn football operations general manager Mark Evans told hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday evening.
"You want to make sure that when he (Hodge) is right to go, that he's ready for a full game of AFL intensity football.
"So we just need to make sure we tick that box and don't bring him back ahead of time."
Evans said the Hawks had pulled up well from Monday's bruising encounter with Geelong, with no fresh injury concerns.
Ruckman Broc McCauley received an accidental elbow to the head from teammate Lance Franklin during the third quarter and had to leave the field.
He was later subbed from the match, but not due to concussion.
"He was taken out of the game because of cramps," Evans said.
"He was cleared [of concussion] when we checked him."
Josh Gibson also left the field looking groggy after being collected by opponent James Podsiadly's knee during the second quarter.
But the key defender returned in the second half, and has escaped serious damage to his face.
"There was no fracture or anything there," Evans said.
"It (his eye) is a little bit black, but he'll be alright. He's a good warrior."
Mark Macgugan covers Hawks news for afl.com.au and hawthornfc.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_MarkM