Fremantle’s defensive stocks have been boosted with Zac Dawson and Alex Pearce likely to be available for selection.

Dawson has battled a groin injury for much of 2015 but has recovered and will be available for selection this week, according to Fremantle sports science manager Jason Weber.

“He’s very close, he trained very strongly over the weekend and we anticipate having him available for this weekend,” he said.

Dawson is expected to make a return to football through Peel Thunder.

Match Preview: Fremantle v Adelaide.

Weber said young defender Pearce was on track to be available for selection after he was ruled out last week due to a bruised back.

“Alex took a number of hard tumbles on our last trip to Melbourne,” he said.

Captain Matthew Pavlich was subbed out in the final term against North Melbourne due to hip soreness but Weber said he would likely be available for the trip to Adelaide.

“The issue that came up was secondary to a hit he took a couple of weeks ago,” he said.