HAWTHORN is poised to recall up to three premiership defenders for Friday night's clash with Essendon at Docklands.

Coach Alastair Clarkson said Grant Birchall (thumb), Stephen Gilham (knee) and Xavier Eliis (foot) could all come into the team after extended stints on the sidelines.

"We are slowly getting some guys back," Clarkson said before training on Thursday.

"We just need to make a decision post-training today whether we bring them back through Box Hill or whether we play them in the seniors straight up."

The return of the trio would be a welcome boost for Clarkson, who conceded his defence had "leaked a little more" than usual this season.

Ellis' potential comeback would be faster than anticipated. The Hawks had initially feared the 21-year-old had broken his foot when he limped from the field against North Melbourne in round three.

Scans later revealed he had damaged ligaments in the foot, with the Hawks insisting they still needed to respect the injury.

"We didn't know when Xavier went down whether he was going to be out for four weeks or four months," Clarkson said.

"As it sits at the moment he's nearly right to go, so it'll depend on how he trains today whether he'll play."

Clarkson also defended star forward Lance Franklin against media criticism and said suggestions he was carrying any extra weight around his midriff were off the mark.

After an injury-interrupted pre-season, the Coleman Medallist has booted 18 goals in six matches.

The coach added he was happy with Franklin’s contribution so far this season and noted that some were quick to compare his form to the lofty standards he set in 2008.

"He was always going to fill out at some point in time," Clarkson said.

"Our challenge has got nothing to do with puppy fat or anything like that. Our challenge is just how we stop the weight going on him in terms of muscle size.

"He looks at a weight in the gym and puts on a couple of kilos, and (Jarryd) Roughead's the same ... they are big, big strong men.

"We’re pleased with where he’s (Franklin’s) at in terms of his weight. All his GPS results and that sort of stuff suggests that he’s right on the money in terms of his running capacity."