FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has declared key midfielder Stephen Hill is "unlikely" to face Essendon at Paterson Stadium on Saturday night as he recovers from an ankle injury.

And explosive youngster Anthony Morabito will have to wait at least one more week to make his anticipated AFL return, with Fremantle resisting the urge to select him as Hill's replacement.

Morabito trained strongly with Fremantle's main group at Patersons Stadium on Thursday, while Hill, who "tweaked" an ankle against Richmond in round 11, completed a separate program at Fremantle Oval.

"We've been really trying to get him up this week," Lyon said of Hill, who played through the injury against the Tigers almost two weeks ago to finish with 24 possessions.

"I was really expectant but it sort of looks unlikely at this stage, so he's doing a bit of work back at the club. I'll check in when I get back and if not, we'll pick someone else to try to do the job."
 
Lyon said Paul Duffield, Michael Walters, Nick Lower and Jayden Pitt were all options to replace Hill, who is ranked No.2 at the club for inside 50s this season. 

There could be four changes to the team that beat Richmond at the MCG before the club's round 12 bye, with ruckman Aaron Sandilands (toe), defender Zac Dawson (knee) and forward Hayden Ballantyne (suspension) also unavailable.

"We've got some good performances in the WAFL and I'd like to think we're picking people who are performing," Lyon said, with Kepler Bradley, Zac Clarke and Alex Silvagni also pushing for selection.

"We did that last week when [Hayden] Crozier came in and held his end up, Lachie Neale has been doing okay and Jon Griffin has come in.

"We're really expectant that whoever we pick executes the job for the team."

Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan