Will Day returns for Hawthorn’s Round 20 clash against Carlton, with the midfielder the sole inclusion for the Hawks in the blockbuster match.

As announced yesterday, Day is set to take to the field on Thursday night after four months on the sidelines.

His last appearance in the brown and gold was in Round 3 against GWS, before a bone stress fracture in foot brought his season to a halt.

Day's inclusion comes as Finn Maginness is ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a lacerated kidney during last weekend’s clash with Port Adelaide.

Maginness, who is now on the mend following a minor procedure, remains in hospital in Tasmania with the club's full support. 

Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday's game, Hawthorn Senior Coach Sam Mitchell welcomed Day back into the side. 

"It's interesting, when you're injured, there's different ways to go about it," Mitchell said. 

"Sometimes you step away and you don't hear from them that much but Daysy's the opposite, he's been part of our coaching, coaching on the bench, showed great leadership tendencies throughout his injury and he's been really a part of the group.

"The fact that he's actually going to step over the white line and be part of the team on the field is pretty exciting for everyone."