Geelong star Gary Ablett says he is ready to play and is eyeing a return this Friday when the Cats take on the Giants, according to his manager Liam Pickering.

Ablett has been sidelined since Round 3 due to a hamstring injury but his manager believes he is "ready to go."

"I know he wants to play Friday night," Pickering told SEN Breakfast.

โ€œHe is ready to go, so itโ€™s whether they play him.โ€

However, Ablett could find it hard to take the field at his own accord, with his coach Chris Scott explaining on Fox Footy that the team will take a no risk approach with their midfielder's injury.

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Pickering made it clear where Ablett's head is at right now with his injury, saying that he tunes out a lot of media speculation.

โ€œHe doesnโ€™t listen to any of that stuff,โ€ Pickering said.

โ€œHe doesnโ€™t listen when people criticise him and when people praise him. He sees it as part of the job ... I know what weโ€™re trying to do and we go from there.โ€