Geelong are in line to receive a double selection boost for Friday's clash with Sydney with captain Patrick Dangerfield and defender Esava Ratugolea both expected to be available for the trip to the Harbour City.
Dangerfield missed last Thursday's win over Melbourne due to rib and lung ailments sustained in the club's Round 14 defeat to Port Adelaide, with the Cats veteran being admitted to hospital in South Australia after that game due to a blow to his torso in a marking contest.
The midfielder had put his hand up to play against the Demons but wasn't rushed into a return, with the club set to further assess his fitness in the coming days before making the trip north.
Dangerfield is expected to face the Swans, with the Cats also likely to regain Ratugolea after a hamstring injury kept him sidelined for the past month.
"Patty did the full session and he's functioning well. Again, we need the final tick-off from our medical team, but I expect him to be very close to being available," Cats football boss Simon Lloyd said in a club injury update.
"Esava could've played last week – he was very close to playing – and (I) expect Esava to be available (for selection) this week."
The Cats will be without key forward Jeremy Cameron for Round 16 after the Coleman Medal winner suffered a concussion from a collision with teammate Gary Rohan last Thursday.
After being discharged from hospital last week Cameron has entered the AFL's required concussion protocols and is on the mend. Cameron could be in the mix for a return next week when Geelong face North Melbourne, with Lloyd not mentioning any concerns around the superstar forward's hampered shoulder.
"Obviously it was a very big hit on Thursday night, and Jezza's being managed – and managed really well – by our medical team," Lloyd said.
"He's now gone into the concussion protocols, and we'll be guided by our medical team on his progress. He'll be assessed throughout the week."
The Cats could have premiership midfielder Cam Guthrie back in the selection mix closer to the end of the home and away season as he continues to work through his rehabilitation from a toe injury.
Lloyd revealed Guthrie will be back running in the not-too-distant future, while young midfield-forward Sam Simpson will also be back on the track soon after recovering from tendon damage in his hand.
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar will begin running on Tuesday following an ankle injury that has kept him out of action in recent weeks.
"Cam is in really good spirits – he was in (Monday) morning doing weights," Lloyd said.
"He's out of the moonboot this Friday, which is great, so he'll start weight-bearing on that foot, and before we know it, hopefully, he'll be running.
"(Sam) had surgery last Thursday, and Sam is back in at the club and he will commence running fairly soon.
"It is unfortunate for Sam, but he's put in a good period of football, and he'll be back in no time.
"Obviously initially Jonathon had an adductor injury, and the adductor has improved (but) the ankle is sore.
"He's done some Alt-G work, and he'll commence on-field running (on Tuesday), so hopefully he improves over the coming week."
Geelong will have trio Oisin Mullin, Shannon Neale and Sam Menegola to consider for selection in the coming weeks after all three players managed successful comebacks in the VFL last weekend against Casey.
The Cats will face Sydney at the SCG on Friday night at 7:50pm (AEST).
