HAWTHORN is likely to be boosted by the return of several players for this weekend's clash with Richmond.

The 14th-placed Hawks are almost certain to miss the finals after winning just one of their first seven games, but taking the four points from the winless Tigers would keep a faint flame of hope flickering.

Premiership midfielder Jordan Lewis said gun recruit Shaun Burgoyne, Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin, captain Sam Mitchell and former Lion Rhan Hooper were all expected to return this weekend.

Burgoyne is yet to play a game for the Hawks since moving from Port Adelaide after leg injuries and then a cracked jaw in the VFL a few weeks ago, but Lewis said the four were expected to return this week.

"I think we get Mitchell, Burgoyne, Franklin and Hoper back this week, so they'll add a bit of polish to our side," he said.

"We've got a dangerous game coming up this weekend against Richmond; they haven't won a game, and if we're not on our game, anything can happen.

"They're healthy inclusions, and hopefully they can spark the side with a win."

Former Western Bulldogs ruckman Wade Skipper will also be looking for selection after a good performance at Box Hill on the weekend.

Lewis said he was looking forward to playing with Burgoyne, who is expected to come straight into the AFL side rather than playing another game for Box Hill in the VFL.

"I think the Hawthorn faithful are probably happy to see him back out there as well," he said.

"He's been a great player for so long at Port Adelaide, and it's great to have him over here and playing alongside him."

Lewis said the Hawks still believed they could make the finals, despite their poor start to the season. Hawthorn has lost its last six matches, and went down to West Coast by eight points at Subiaco Oval last Saturday.

"We're going in to the weekend really positive, and basically we're trying to start a new season from this weekend," Lewis said.

"There's still 15 weeks to go, so there's still the games we need to make the finals, but we need to get some things right.

"The game on the weekend was a step in the right direction, and hopefully we can take that into this week against Richmond."