Forgotten forwards Wylie Buzza and Lincoln McCarthy are in the frame to return for Geelong's trip to the Gold Coast this weekend.

After Esava Ratugolea's broken ankle in the win over Carlton last week, Buzza's ability to play as a forward/ruck has him in strong contention for his first game in 2018.  

It comes as Harry Taylor is set to miss at least another week after the plantar fascia injury he missed six games with earlier in the season flared at training last week.  

With Taylor absent, Mark Blicavs will be required in the key defensive post as Suns co-captain Tom Lynch returns on Saturday. The need for a second ruck paves the way for Buzza as a potential inclusion. 

The battle for the No.1 ruck spot looms as a matter of intrigue with Rhys Stanley beaten last week by Blue Matthew Kreuzer.  

Second-year ruckman Ryan Abbott, who was floated last week by coach Chris Scott for a debut, appeared to have more of an impact in the VFL last week than Zac Smith, who has played three AFL matches this year.  

Meanwhile, Lincoln McCarthy is in consideration for his first AFL match since round three last year.

The 24-year-old small forward has now played three matches in the VFL after Scott suggested a fortnight ago that he would require two to four games to put his name up for selection.  

Youngster Lachie Fogarty, who played the first seven matches of the season before missing the past three games with groin soreness, is a test for the clash with the Suns but may return via the VFL.  

Taylor was listed as a short-term prospect on the club's injury report on Tuesday along with Scott Selwood, Nakia Cockatoo, Cam Guthrie and Lachie Henderson.  

Selwood is expected to miss at least one more week with his back injury that has sidelined him since round seven.

It comes as forward Daniel Menzel returned to the training track this week, with no timeline on his return from a groin setback which is now into its sixth week.