HAWKS midfielder Xavier Ellis could make a surprise return to the field in the coming weeks as his rehabilitation from a knee injury is progressing well.
Ellis injured the medial ligament in his knee playing for the Club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill, and while originally being considered a 6-8 week proposition, the former number three draft pick is back running.
General Manager - Football Operations, Mark Evans admitted that the medical staff feared the worst for Ellis in the early stages, but are pleased with his progress and expect Ellis to make his comeback in the not too distant future.
“(He’s) going well,” Evans said.
“We were a little bit worried when it first happened that it might be an extended time on the sidelines - maybe up to a couple of months.
“He’s back up and running really well, and if he progresses well over the next couple of weeks, he could be back playing as well.”
Forward Brendan Whitecross is expected to line-up against the Blues at the MCG on Friday night, after overcoming a minor hip injury that saw him miss the Hawks’ win over Brisbane.
“It was a minor injury, he over stretched a little bit, but it was nothing major and probably could have played before the bye,” Evans said.
“It was a good chance for him to freshen up and he’s ready to go.”
Ruckman Broc McCauley is also on the comeback trail, after sustaining an elbow injury in a VFL practice match earlier this month.
Evans said the ruckman, who has played three matches for the Hawks since being elevated to the senior list on the eve of Round 1, is nearing a return.
“it has settled down quite well and he’s managed to get some good strength back into the elbow and some good function back in,” Evans said.
“It was a good chance for him to freshen up and he’s ready to go.”
After enjoying four days off during the bye weeks, Evans said the players are ready to tackle the second half of the season.
“We gave them a few days off in the middle of last week, because of the Friday night game this week,” he said.
“They were back last week and across the weekend for training so we’ll be ready to go this Friday.
“Hopefully it has freshened them up for what is a pretty important three or four months to go.”
Round 14 Injury list
Max Bailey (wrist) - 2-4 weeks
Xavier Ellis (knee) - 3-4 weeks
Luke Hodge (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Will Langford (shoulder) - 1-2 weeks
Broc McCauley (elbow) - test
Michael Osborne (knee) - season
Alex Woodward (knee) - season
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