BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Jacob Hopper of the Giants in action during the round 17 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Gold Coast Suns at Mars Stadium on July 11, 2021 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The GWS Giants could welcome back Jacob Hopper to the senior team for his first match since Round 2 this weekend, with the star midfielder finally back to full training.

Hopper has been sidelined for much of the season after suffering back-to-back knee injuries, but looks set to bolster the Giants' midfield as they take on the Hawks on Sunday afternoon.

“The body’s feeling good, it’s been a while but that’s just footy sometimes unfortunately,” Hopper said to Giants club media.

“I’m feeling ready, and hopefully I’ll get to have a run around soon and get my hands back on the footy again which will be nice."

Alongside Hopper, the Giants could be bolstered by the return of two talls, with ruck duo Matt Flynn and Braydon Preuss in the selection frame.

Flynn has been sidelined since Round 13 after suffering a quad injury at training and looms as an important selection should he pass a fitness test. While fellow ruck Preuss will be pressing his case for a selection to the senior team after missing Round 15 through both suspension and an ankle injury.

The Giants may also welcome back veteran Matt de Boer who is available for selection this week after exiting league concussion protocols.

The Giants will host Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon at GIANTS Stadium as they aim to claim their fifth win of the season. The two sides currently sit equal on the win-loss tally, with GWS hovering just one spot above the Hawks due to percentage.