HAWTHORN midfielder Brad Sewell is a certain starter for Friday night's big clash with Carlton.

The 2007 club best and fairest winner was subbed off at three quarter-time of the Hawks' 165-point thumping of Port Adelaide, but has pulled up well.

"He copped a knee into the back, so he was subbed out eventually, but he's fine," Hawthorn football operations general manager Mark Evans told hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday.

In further good news for the Hawks, ruckman Brent Renouf is set to return to the field for the first time since having surgery to remove his gall bladder more than two months ago.

Renouf had the surgery after receiving a knee to the midriff during Hawthorn's round 12 loss to Geelong.

Rick Ladson, who was named for Box Hill on the weekend but didn't play due to soreness, is a certain starter this week.

But Clinton Young is set to miss again with a niggling ankle problem.

"He's getting to 85 or 90 per cent but he just can't quite get over it," Evans said.
 
And Xavier Ellis, who also sat out last weekend with a sore ankle, faces a test later in the week to determine whether he's fit to play.

Mark Macgugan writes for hawthornfc.com.au and covers Hawks news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan.