Heath Chapman and Nathan O’Driscoll could make their football returns as early as next week, according to High Performance Manager Phil Merriman.

Chapman (hamstring) and O’Driscoll (knee) have both missed the opening two rounds of the season as they complete their respective injury rehabilitation.

The pair have both entered into full training this week and are a chance to return to football through the WAFL next week.

“Both boys are going really well,” Merriman said.

“Heath is into full training, as is ‘Driz’. They are both planning to return next week.”

The diagnosis on the knee injury of Oscar McDonald is yet to be determined, with a decision on his rehab process expected to be made at the end of this week.

“Oscar saw the specialist last week, we’re still waiting for the knee to settle before we make a really firm diagnosis to which way we head,” Merriman said.
 
“We’re going to give it a few more days and wait until the end of this week.”

Merriman provided positive updates on Sean Darcy (knee) and Ethan Stanley (ankle) who have both returned to on-field running.
 
“Sean has begun his on-field running program – all is going well so he is two-to-three weeks away,” Merriman said.
 
“Ethan is going really well, again progressing to on-field running and he will be a test to play hopefully next week.”

Nat Fyfe was subbed out at three-quarter-time in Freo’s win over North Melbourne at the weekend, with Merriman confirming the move was tactical only with an opportunity to manage the dual Brownlow-medallist’s workload.
 
“Nat has just had more than a couple of big weeks, and it was a good chance for us to manage Nat - but he’ll be ready to go this week,” Merriman said.

Meanwhile, Karl Worner will sit out another week as a precaution after sustaining a concussion in Freo’s season-opener against Brisbane.
 
“We want to look after Karl, he does fit into the 12-day concussion protocols to the day (of the game against Adelaide this Friday) but we just want to make sure he will be alright. He will be another week away,” Merriman said.
 
ROUND THREE INJURY LIST
Heath Chapman (hamstring) – 1 week
Nathan O’Driscoll (knee) – 1 week
Karl Worner (concussion) – 1 week
Ethan Stanley (ankle) – 1 week
Sean Darcy (knee) – 2-3 weeks
Corey Wagner (calf) – 4-5 weeks
Brennan Cox (hamstring) – 11-13 weeks
Oscar McDonald (knee) – TBC
Odin Jones (concussion) – TBC
Josh Corbett (hip) – Season
Sebit Kuek (knee) – Season