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Star midfielder Stephen Hill could return as early as this week’s trip to Launceston to play Hawthorn, according to high performance manager Jason Weber.

Hill picked up a minor hamstring injury against Melbourne in round 14 and is listed as a test to face the Hawks.

“Stephen trained strongly with the team today. He had a minor hamstring injury from a couple of weeks ago from the air swing he took at a ball,” Weber said.

“He’s up and going and, hopefully, available coming into this weekend.” 

Weber said that forward Jesse Hogan has hit a milestone as he recovers from a foot injury, also sustained in the Melbourne clash.

“Jesse’s returned to running, he got up and going over the weekend with his foot issue,” Weber said. 

“Everything seems to be progressing really well, so we’re hopeful of him being back soon.”

Forward Brennan Cox missed the derby with a hip injury and is expected to miss a further three weeks.

“Brennan’s has got quite a solid hip flexor injury,” Weber said.

“He will be a few weeks. He’s progressing well and made a bit of a jump over the weekend. We look forward to seeing him back soon.”

Weber gave a positive update on rucks Aaron Sandilands and Rory Lobb, who returned for Freo in last Saturday’s derby.

“Rory’s pulled up well, he ran today and is looking forward to the coming week,” Weber said.

“Aaron pulled up really well and he trained comfortably today.

“On the weekend he came out after Q3 and his output was fantastic.

"When you bring someone back from rehabilitation, you always have a rate of output and a number of variables you’re looking for and Aaron was close to personal best levels.

“At that point in the game and where he was at that time, it was considered not worth risking him as he had gone so far.”