SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Lance Franklin looks on during a Sydney Swans AFL training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on May 22, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Power forward Lance Franklin is set to take on the Pies at the SCG on Friday night, according to the Sydney website.

Although the sides will be formally announced 6:25pm tonight, Franklin will be picked after training strongly with the side on Wednesday afternoon at the SCG.

Coach John Longmire told reporters that he was pleased that his star forward would return from a month on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

“He did all the training last night, he did the whole session and looked good. He is back in the team and it is great to have him back,” Longmire said.

The Swans are also likely to recall co-captain Josh Kennedy, who will most likely replace dashing midfielder Zak Jones (hamstring) after overcoming a quad injury.

This news doesn't excite Pies' fans as 'Buddy' has a good record against the black & white, including a six-goal haul in last year's narrow loss to the Swans.

The Pies will also be without lively defender Darcy Moore again this week and rebounding half-back Tom Langdon who suffered a knee injury in last weeks victory over the Saints.

To add more salt to the wound, Travis Varcoe will miss this week due to a suspension, as will star forward Jordan De Goey (shin) and Mason Cox (ankle) due to their injuries.