Despite suffering a minor setback in last week's intraclub, Chad Wingard will be hopeful of making a return to full fitness ahead of Hawthorn's Round 1 clash against Essendon.

Physical Performance Manager Luke Boyd said the club was remaining optimistic about Wingard’s chances of playing in the season opener.

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“Unfortunately, Chad had some tightness through his calf in the game last week and, with some further investigation, we’ve found that he’s got a small strain through that calf which is going to mean he won’t be available to play over the next couple of weeks,” Boyd said.

“At this stage, we think he is going to be a chance for Round 1, but it’s touch and go, and we’re going to need to see how he progresses over the next week to two weeks.”

Defender Jack Scrimshaw was the other casualty from the club’s hit-out last week, with the 22-year-old injuring his knee.

Scrimshaw also now finds himself in a fight to make himself available for the club’s Round 1 match-up. 

“Jack came down on his knee in a marking contest last week and hyperextended it.

“Structurally the knee is fine, but he did sustain some bone bruising which is going to take a bit of time to settle and that’s going to put him in doubt for Round 1.”

Tom Mitchell continues to make promising progress following his shoulder reconstruction in the off-season.

The two-time Peter Crimmins Medallist is now eyeing off a return to contact training in the not-so-distant future.

While James Sicily (ACL) and Jack Gunston (back) continue to work through their respective rehabilitation programs.