By Michael Whiting

Exciting Gold Coast SUNS rookies David Swallow and Zac Smith have both recovered from ankle injuries and will play against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

The pair both missed last weekend's 71-point loss to Hawthorn in Launceston, but GC SUNS coach Guy McKenna confirmed they would be right to go against the Bulldogs.

In a broad discussion on team selection, McKenna also confirmed:

• Charlie Dixon was a near certain starter
• Trent McKenzie would get his first rest of the season
• Rising Star nominee Brandon Matera (groin) was still one to two weeks away
• No.2 NAB AFL draft pick Harley Bennell still has some work to do before being considered again for the seniors.

McKenna said 19-year-old McKenzie - the man with the cannon left boot - was due for a break.

"He's played all the games and he'd be certainly one fella that will go back [to the reserves]," McKenna said.

"He needs a spell too, he's had a massive pre-season, massive start to the season and we're really impressed with how far he's come but we want to pull him out before we tip him into a deep hole."

McKenna said the GC SUNS were excited about getting Swallow and Smith back.

Midfield dynamo Swallow suffered a ankle injury in the round 12 loss to North Melbourne, while 21-year-old Smith had an assortment of niggles after carrying a huge workload in the ruck during the first half of the season.

McKenna said after showing promise both forward and back in reserves, key position player Dixon was close to a certain selection.

"If you ask me he's in the side, but I'm one of four voices on the match committee, but I think he'd be a good chance to play this week," he said.

News was a little less clear on Bennell though, who was dropped after the GC SUNS round 11 loss against West Coast at Patersons Stadium.

The 18-year-old was allowed to stay an extra day in Perth to see family and friends but did not return to the Gold Coast SUNS until 48 hours after he was expected.

While his form in reserves has been good, McKenna said he had more to prove.

"He needs to buy into the program. When he shows that to the leadership group - they see him in the gym, monitoring the little things that make a good player a great player - they'll tap us on the shoulder to say Harley is available for selection," he said.

"There's no stop and start with this, it's about him buying in. That's happened for a week, is that enough to convince the leadership group? I would think probably not. I don't know the time frame on that.

"Upon their decision to say he's bought in and understands what he needs to do off the field, we're happy to offer him up at selection, so until that time happens we're picking a side without him."