Jesse Lonergan is set to return to football this week in the inaugural ANZAC clash against the Brisbane Lions reserves in Mackay this Thursday.

The fearless 18-year-old will be itching to taste footy against after suffering a fractured wrist in the Gold Coast SUNS 25-point win over Melbourne in the final practise match of the pre-season, which forced the elite youngster to watch on from the sidelines for the past six weeks.

But the former Launceston junior will be ready to pounce against the in-form Lion’s NEAFL side, and will be looking to hand the QCLASH rival their first loss of the 2013 Season after going through the opening rounds of the competition undefeated.

Rising star Harley Bennell, a late withdrawal for the GC SUNS on Saturday night, will spend another week on the sidelines as he recovers from a minor hamstring strain.  

Meanwhile, experienced defender Matthew Warnock fractured his left radius against the Power on the weekend, and will be missing in action for at least eight weeks. While Joel Wilkinson will wait for the results of scans on his injured ankle to determine the extent of his injury.

GC SUNS Injury Update
Harley Bennell – Hamstring – 1 week
Nathan Bock – Leg – Indefinite
Jesse Lonergan – Hand – Available
Tom Nicholls – Back – Available
Leigh Osborne – Knee - Test
Liam Patrick – Hamstring strain – 1-2 weeks
Dion Prestia – Calf – Test
Seb Tape – Knee – 1-2 weeks
Jeremy Taylor – Concussion – TBA
Matthew Warnock – Arm – 8 weeks
Maverick Weller – Shoulder – 3 weeks
Joel Wilkinson – Ankle - TBA