SHAUN Burgoyne looks set to play football this weekend and it is possible he will make his debut for Hawthorn in its highly anticipated clash with Collingwood.

Burgoyne has battled knee and hamstring injuries since crossing from Port Adelaide in last year's trade week.

Hawk Campbell Brown said on Monday morning his new teammate was set to line up for either Hawthorn or VFL team Box Hill.

“I’m sure he wanted to come out and prove himself. It has been hard for him sitting out the first three or four games,” Brown said of Burgoyne.

“He is a great guy and went straight into our leadership group which says a bit about the calibre of what he’s produced at the club. It will be pretty good to have him running around for us.”

Brad Sewell is still at least a week away from returning from a collar bone injury while Josh Gibson is set to spend some time on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Midfielder Jordan Lewis should be right to play despite copping a heavy knock to the head against the Bulldogs.

Brown praised Lewis' courage to return to the field.

"It was great to see him eventually come back on. I spoke to him today and he is feeling pretty good," Brown said.

“I thought he’d wake up today to be honest. It was a real lift. We couldn’t go on and win the game but the inspiration we drew from that was enormous,” Brown said.

“When a player is going to be that committed to the cause of playing for Hawthorn we are going to win a lot more than we lose.”

The early loss of Josh Gibson to a hamstring injury threw out Hawthorn’s plans to curb star Bulldog Barry Hall.

Speaking a day after the loss, Brown voiced his support for the idea of a substitute player - similar to that trialled in the NAB Cup to be used in the season proper.

“I definitely think (it is logical). It is bordering on impossible. You saw St Kilda do it on Friday night but it is pretty rare that you can lose a couple of players and still maintain to win the game,” he said.

“If you’ve got those substitutes to come on or the extra bench it gives you leeway to run out the game.”