Justin Longmuir is hopeful that both Brennan Cox and Nathan O’Driscoll will be fit in time to make at least one appearance in Fremantle’s upcoming pre-season games against Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The pair have missed recent main training sessions with Cox having a knee infection and O’Driscoll a hot spot in his foot.

Fremantle take on Adelaide on Friday 24 February at Victor George Kailis Oval and Longmuir is optimistic Cox will play minutes in that game.

“We think the Adelaide game, he’ll play,” Longmuir said.

“It’s one of those things, the infection has looked like it’s cleared up, he’s got on top of the swelling and now it’s about making sure we don’t put him out there too early and put him at risk of him injuring another part of his body.

“We’ll just make sure we really build him up the right way.”

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O’Driscoll is expected to need another week, putting him in the frame for the clash against Port Adelaide on Thursday 2 March at Fremantle Oval.

“That would be our hope (for O’Driscoll to play a pre-season game) but the Adelaide game would be pushing the timeframe,” Longmuir said.

“Hopefully, he’s available for Port Adelaide.”

O’Driscoll was sidelined with a similar but unrelated foot injury from round nine in the AFL season until his return via the WAFL in July – re-joining the AFL team in round 21 against the Western Bulldogs.

Longmuir is optimistic that O’Driscoll will not have a similar layoff with his current injury.

“It’s different to the one he had last year and it looks like, touch wood, we’ve got it really early through some good reporting and awareness from Driz,” Longmuir said.

“It might keep him out another week.”

Longmuir was buoyant overall about the health of his players ahead of round one against St Kilda on 19 March at Marvel Stadium.

“We’re in a good spot, but you never want to get too far ahead of yourself as we’re still a month away from round one,” Longmuir said.

“We’ve still got some important fitness work to get in before round one so hopefully, we can maintain that healthy list.”