Hawthorn is expecting to welcome back defender Ben Stratton to its line-up when it takes on Carlton at University of Tasmania Stadium on Sunday.
The Hawks were dealt a blow when the captain was a late withdrawal from the selected side in its clash with Geelong, but the club does not anticipate the 30-year-old missing further time.
Midfield duo Shaun Burgoyne and Liam Shiels are two more experienced players who are nearing a return.
The pair both injured hamstrings in the Round 2 loss to the Western Bulldogs but, according to Physical Performance Manager Luke Boyd, are on the cusp of a return.
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“Liam is going really well so he is back into the full skills component at the moment,” Boyd said.
“The plan is that this week he will train and if he gets through the week of training he will be available to play.
“Shaun is going well, he is probably a week behind Liam Shiels.”
Former Saint Darren Minchington is in line to pull on the brown and gold jumper for the first time this weekend for Box Hill.
Minchington has been dealing with a hamstring injury for the past six weeks after making a strong impression in his first pre-season at the Ricoh Centre.
Ben Stratton – concussion – test
Ben McEvoy – adductor soreness - test
Darren Minchington – hamstring – test
Liam Shiels – hamstring - test
Mathew Walker – knee – test
Jackson Ross – hamstring soreness – test
Jacob Koschitzke – concussion - test
Shaun Burgoyne – hamstring - 1 week
James Frawley – hamstring - 2-3 weeks
Grant Birchall – calf – indefinite
Tim Mohr – knee – season
Tom Mitchell – leg - season
