Draftee Izak Rankine is set to return to the field this weekend when the SUNS travel to Sydney for both the AFL and NEAFL matches.
Rankine has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but has been in full training for two weeks ahead of his return to football.
Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull told the Alpha Sport Injury Update Rankine would play if he ticked all the boxes at training this week.
“It’s really good news for Izak, he’s been really good with his rehab and done everything really diligently,” Bull said.
“It’s a testament to his professionalism so far since joining us that he’s available for training this week and should be available for selection on the weekend.”
After missing five matches with a cork which required surgery, defender Pearce Hanley is also firming for a return this weekend.
“Pearce has done some really good work over the last two or three weeks and ran really well so we expect him to be available for selection as well,” Bull said.
Touk Miller is another expected to be available after missing the match in Townsville with a corked quad.
“Touk only just narrowly missed out on selection to play St Kilda with a reasonable quad cork that he sustained in the North Melbourne game,” Bull said.
“He’s trained really well since then, he’ll train this week and hopefully be available for selection.”
Jordan Murdoch sustained an ankle injury in the same match against North Melbourne and missed Round 13 against the Saints, but is back to full training.
“Jordan’s responded really well over the bye period as well and will do some testing,” Bull said.
“He’ll train today and Thursday and hopefully be available for selection as well.”
Another SUN who has spent an extended period on the sidelines, Aaron Young, will be a test for the weekend after completing rehab on his knee (MCL).
“Aaron has done some really good training over the last few weeks as well and he’s got to go through a few tests for us today to hopefully train fully on Thursday and be available for selection on the weekend,” Bull said.
Midfielder Josh Schoenfeld has undergone surgery on his knee and is expected to be sidelined for 3-5 weeks.
“Josh had surgery to his lateral meniscus last Monday,” Bull said.
“He’s done really well post-operatively so far and we expect him to be around four weeks for his return to play.”
