HAWTHORN will ramp up its pressure on Sunday against Fremantle in what midfielder Isaac Smith has dubbed a potential "tale of two small forward lines".

While forward Jack Gunston remains in contention to play after a faster-than-expected return from a medial ligament strain, he has a final hurdle to cross at training on Thursday.

Gunston needs to prove he's fit to replace star goalkicker Jarryd Roughead, who will miss with a one-game suspension.

The Dockers have already revealed plans to potentially play Michael Walters, who is expected to return after a long-term ankle injury, alongside fellow small forwards Hayden Ballantyne, Hayden Crozier and Max Duffy.

Smith said they would be prepared to tighten up on the Dockers if they lined up with a four-pronged  mosquito fleet.

"Whenever you play Freo, you've got to have your defensive pressure on otherwise they just run on top of you," Smith said on Thursday.

"They've got some good small forwards and I guess Walters will be back in the line-up.

"It's probably going to be the tale of two small forward lines this weekend so hopefully we can just get on top and win the game of football."

Smith said he wasn't sure if defender Brian Lake would return from his four-match ban and make the trip to Perth.

The Hawks are facing a six-day break on the back of the match at Patersons Stadium and may elect to hold Lake for the following Saturday night's clash with Geelong.