Midfielder Darcy Tucker will make an RAC Derby return on Sunday at Optus Stadium, while backs Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan are both in a race to prove their fitness for the clash.
In the traditional RAC Derby media conference with senior coaches Justin Longmuir and Adam Simpson, Longmuir confirmed Tucker would play.
Longmuir was more confident that Cox would recover from an ankle strain sustained against North Melbourne in round six.
He added that Ryan had a ‘flare up’ in his calf during training on Thursday and cited Tobe Watson as the most likely replacement if Ryan was unavailable.
Tucker will play his first game of 2021 after sustaining a hamstring injury during the pre-season.
“Darcy’s going to come in. He’s in our best 22 for sure,” Longmuir said.
“He’s had a recurring hamstring issue. He had played a game in the reserves (for Peel) two weeks ago, unfortunately, he missed last week (due to the Covid lockdown) but I think he’s got a good body of work behind him.
“He can play multiple roles for us, he adds flexibility to our midfield and other areas of the ground. We’ll welcome him back this week.”
Longmuir felt Ryan was in a similar position to West Coast defender Tom Barrass, who Simpson said was a slight chance of playing due to a shoulder concern.
“Luke’s got a knock to his calf in the game against North Melbourne and it hindered him a bit at training on Tuesday. Yesterday, it flared up a little bit. He didn’t get through,” Longmuir said.
“It’s similar with (what) ‘Simmo’ (Simpson said about) Tom Barrass, - we’ll give him a good fitness test tomorrow and if he passes that we’ll play him.
“If he doesn’t we won’t take any risks. That’s where it sits at the moment.
“I’m pretty comfortable with the way Brennan is going. He did a bit of running yesterday. He’s tracking pretty well.”
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Watson has played two games this season, last featuring agianst Hawthorn in round four.
“He’s one we’ve got on standby. He was unlucky to go out of the side against Adelaide the week before,” Longmuir said.
“The week before, he played his role really well. If is misshap happens with one of the other two, Tobe’s the likely replacement.”
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