Watch the full injury report in the HawksTV player above.

HAWTHORN skipper Luke Hodge is nearing a return to the Hawthorn side after training strongly this week.

The Hawthorn Captain has played just two matches this season, battling calf and knee injuries that have kept the 28-year-old out of the Hawks line-up.

Hodge had a setback with the posterior cruciate ligament injury last week, as he knee began to swell after a solid training session.

General Manager - Football Operations, Mark Evans says the Club is “delighted” with Hodge’s progress and the response Hodge’s knee has shown to treatment.

“That knee has settled down really well and we’re delighted with that,” Evans said.

“He’s had the fluid drained and some other treatment.

“He’s trained really strongly on the weekend and at the start of this week.

“Where he ends up at the end of this week, we’ll probably wait until Friday to make an absolute definitive answer.”

Evans refuted claims, however, that Lance Franklin could make a surprise return in Saturday’s blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley speculated on Franklin’s availability on Wednesday, but Evans was quick to distinguish talk of a Franklin return this weekend.

“He’s progressing really well, but it’ll be another week or two at least for Buddy,” Evans said.

Ruckman Max Bailey made a successful return to football on Sunday, lining up for the Club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill.

Bailey, injured on the eve of Round 1 has missed the entire season, but the Hawks hope the ruckman can have an impact for the Hawks at the tail end of the season.

The 206cm giant booted three goals in an impressive first-up performance for Box Hill in their 14-point win over Frankston.

“He played 80-85 minutes of the game and kicked three goals,” Evans said.

“It was a really good performance by Max, it was very encouraging.

“[But] I’d expect he’d be in at Box Hill for another week.”

Exciting rookie Amos Frank will be missing from Box Hill for two-three weeks after sustaining a calf injury.

Evans said while the injury setback is disappointing, the small forward shouldn’t be out of action for too long.

“He was very exciting on the weekend, kicked two amazing goals into the wind,” he said.

“He has hurt his calf, he’s a little bit sore, but it’s probably only a two to three week injury.”

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 Read the match report from Box Hill's win over Frankston.